(Zia Sherrell/ Medical News Today) — While the physical exertion of shoveling provides a good workout, it also significantly strains the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, studies show that the cold temperature increases the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Therefore, people with heart disease or other existing cardiovascular conditions or risk factors should exercise caution when shoveling snow.
This article discusses shoveling snow, heart attack risk, and how strenuous exercise affects the heart.
Shoveling snow has potentially serious implications for heart health. The physical strain involved in snow shoveling may place significant demands on the cardiovascular system, surpassing even the exertion of a treadmill stress test.
Just a minute or two of this laborious task can push the heart to exceed its maximum heart rate. This is particularly concerning for less physically fit individuals, who may be more vulnerable to the detrimental effects.
Research indicates that heavy snowfall links to a 6% higher likelihood of hospital admission for men with a heart attack and a 34% increase in dying. (…)