Snow shoveling in the cold weather can increase heart attack risk. Not only can winter be dreadful thanks to dropping temperatures and less sunlight, but we are also forced to spend time outdoors shoveling the continuously growing pile of snow. Already a tedious task, snow shoveling can also prove to be dangerous as it increases the risk of a heart attack.
In particular, cold weather negatively impacts your heart by increasing blood pressure and heart rate to keep your body warm. Furthermore, cold weather causes changes to your blood, which can increase the risk of blood clots. Furthermore, the elderly are at an even higher risk for all these complications and have a higher risk of experiencing hypothermia as well.
Previous Study Suggests Heart Disease Risk Highest in Winter
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A previous study suggests heart disease risk highest in winter. Previous research has found that cardiovascular risk factors are highest in the winter months and lowest in the summer. Lead researcher, Dr. Pedro Marques-Vidal, said, “Deaths from cardiovascular disease are higher in winter and lower in summer. We decided to conduct a large-scale study to see whether cardiovascular risk factors have a seasonal pattern which could explain the seasonality in deaths.”
The findings were based on cross-sectional data from 10 population-based studies in seven countries. Cardiovascular risk factors were obtained from 107,090 subjects.
Blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were compared between all seasons.
Researchers found factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist circumference were highest between January and February and lowest from June to August.
Dr Marques-Vidal said, “Although this difference is almost irrelevant for an individual, it is considerable for a whole population because the whole blood pressure distribution is shifted to higher values, increasing cardiovascular risk. Indeed, the impact of season on blood pressure levels might have as great an impact on cardiovascular risk as genetic markers for blood pressure. We are currently conducting a study involving 50 million deaths in 18 countries to discover whether seasonality of risk factors affects the risk of dying from myocardial infarction or stroke.
“We observed a seasonal variation in waist circumference, but BMI did not change throughout the year. We have no clear explanation for this finding. Total cholesterol may increase during the winter because of changes in eating habits. There was no seasonal variation in glucose, probably because several cohorts did not collect blood samples in the fasting state. We have begun a study on seasonality of food intake which may help explain these findings.”
Cold Weather and Its Effect on Heart Health
Cold weather and its effect on heart health Many people are simply unaware that being outdoors during colder temperatures can be a real threat to health. If precautions are not taken, it can have serious health consequences. For starters, not dressing appropriately for the cold can lead to hypothermia – a condition where the body cannot produce enough energy to keep the internal body warm.
Additionally, individuals with coronary heart disease can suffer from chest pain by being out in the cold.
Cold weather also impacts your heart because it has to work harder to maintain body heat. This can lead to higher blood pressure as well as an increase in heart rate. Additionally, blood vessels become constricted in colder temperatures, which further increases blood pressure as there is less room for the blood to pass through.
Snow Shoveling and the Risk of Heart Attack
Snow shoveling is a tedious activity that unfortunately needs to occur in the winter months. Not only does it allow you to leave and enter your driveway, but clearing a path also reduces the risk of falls. Unfortunately, snow shoveling can also increase your risk of heart attack if you’re not careful.
You have to exert yourself when snow shoveling because, on average, each shovel load can weigh up to 16 pounds. If you already have underlying cardiovascular issues, it can add serious stress to your health, continuously pushing around 16 pounds over and over again. Even if you typically live a sedentary life, going out and shoveling snow can come as a real shock to your body – especially if proper form is not used.
A person with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or even diabetes should be cautious when it comes to shoveling snow; these conditions can set you up to experience a heart attack with the added stress of snow shoveling.
Tips for Protecting Your Heart in Winter
To get through winter safely – and heart attack free – follow these tips before and while you are shoveling.
- Know your own risk – speak to your doctor about any cardiovascular or health conditions that may prevent you from being able to shovel.
- Don’t shovel snow within the first 30 minutes of awakening; many heart attacks occur in the morning.
- Do not eat a heavy meal prior to shoveling – blood diverts to the stomach.
- Warm-up prior to heading outside.
- Don’t drink coffee or smoke within one hour of shoveling as they increase heart rate.
- Use a small shovel and shovel many loads instead of trying to push away a lot at once.
- Take your time and take breaks.
- Avoid dehydration.
- Dress in layers to prevent hypothermia.
- Cover your head and neck.
- Cover your mouth and avoid breathing in cold air.
Avoid These Situations That Can Lead to Heart Attack During Winter
Overexertion
Many people experience overexertion when shoveling the driveway in the winter. But this isn’t the only cause. It can also be when enjoying winter activities and having fun. For example, for those who enjoy winter sports, it is important to keep your general fitness levels in mind. If you are skiing or even enjoying some sledding, remember to take it easy and don’t overdo it.
Cold Exposure
Cold weather can make the heart work harder by decreasing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. By creating an environment where the heart must work harder on a smaller supply of oxygen, a higher risk of heart attack is created. Be sure to limit cold exposure or dress appropriately if you are planning on being outside for a long amount of time in the cold weather.
Overheating
Similar to cold exposure, overheating can be a dangerous situation for the heart. Some people may feel cold in the winter, so they turn on electric heaters or overdress for the temperature. This can cause health problems that could be very dangerous. Be aware of how you are feeling, and if you have any tingling sensations, weakness, or fatigue, you may have overheated yourself while trying to get warm from the cold outside.
Missed Prescriptions
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Many Americans are dependent on medications for heart health, but in the winter months, it may be difficult to get out and pick them up. Always have enough medication on hand that if there were an emergency and you were not ablet to leave the house for a couple of weeks, you will not be caught out without an important tablet.
Influenza
Flu cases surge during the winter months, so it is essential to do everything you can to avoid catching any illness. Wash your hands frequently and eat healthy to keep your immune system in check. Be sure to include many healthy fruits and vegetables all winter long to get essential vitamins and nutrients to help keep influenza away, as this can be tragic for anyone with a pre-existing heart condition.
Pay attention to your body and spot early signs of a cardiovascular event – dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
