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Ask The Doctor: February 2010
January 31, 2010 by Karen Lockwood, MD
Filed under Ask the Doctor, Health
Q. I always hear about people having heart attacks while shoveling snow. Why does this happen?
A. There are a number of factors that contribute to the increased risk of heart attack while shoveling snow. These are all important things to think about, and it may be better for you to pay a neighbor to shovel your snow than wind up in the hospital.
Shoveling snow is a very intense cardiovascular activity. Snow is usually wet and heavy and it requires a lot of energy and strength to push and lift all that heavy snow. People who are in shape and routinely do cardiovascular activity should not have a problem with this, but unfortunately it snows on everyone’s driveway, not just those who are physically fit.
The other factor to consider is the cold. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict and decrease the blood flow to an area of the body. This is why putting ice on a sprained ankle brings the swelling down. Outside in the cold, this also happens to the arteries around the heart.
You might already have blockages in the arteries around the heart if you have some risk factors for heart disease (smoking, family history, high cholesterol). When you put together the blockages in the arteries, higher demand for blood flow to the heart, and the cold air causing the blood vessels to constrict, you have a perfect setting for a heart attack. Please think twice about shoveling your own snow if you are out of shape and have risk factors for heart disease.
