“Protect Your Heart” When Shoveling Snow

Source: (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS — The American Heart Association says Hoosiers should “protect their hearts” when they shovel snow.  

People’s hearts can cause problems if they shovel large amounts of snow or if they shovel for too long.  

“I think we need to be aware of potentially symptoms of insufficiency of heart functions, like shortness of breath or chest discomfort that might come on with such an intense level of activity. I think we need to give ourselves a little bit of a break and really pace ourselves, especially if we’re not really as fit as we think we ought to be,” William Gill, a cardiologist and the President of the American Hearts Association says.  

Gill says while taking breaks from shoveling snow, people should not be eating big meals prior.  

“The heart will already be pumping blood to the intestines to absorb these nutrients that we just ate,” Gill says.  

If people then ask the heart to pump extra blood flow to all big muscles in their body, back, legs, arms, and other muscles, it might be a little bit more than people’s hearts are up for. It could then cause people a little bit of trouble with snow shoveling.  

The association says people should take breaks, not eat big meals right before or right after shoveling, use a small shovel, and not drink alcohol.  

If Hoosiers go through any possible signs of a heart attack, they should seek treatment immediately.