Dec 19, 2008 7:36 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Safety Tips For Shoveling Snow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Some people look at Friday's snowy scenes and see a tranquil winter's evening.
Others, however, see a lot of snow that they'll have to shovel later on.
CBS 2 has tips on how to get your snow-shoveling done safely.
Anyone who's ever done it knows that shoveling snow causes a very rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
In face, just a few minutes of shoveling can drive your heart rate to levels higher than aerobic exercise.
"When you're shoveling snow, you're using your upper extremities, as well as your legs, so there are multiple different muscle groups involved," Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, of Lenox Hill Hospital, says. "And you're outside in the cold, your arteries are clamped down and constricted, and less blood is actually going to the heart."
These are some of the reasons that heart attack deaths triple among men ages 35 to 49 when the temperature dips and it starts snowing.
"If you are one of those people who have had a heart attack in the past, are a smoker, have multiple risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, [or] high cholesterol, you should not be the person that is going out shoveling snow," Steinbaum said.
If you must shovel, remember some simple guidelines to help protect your heart.
Avoid caffeine and nicotine before shoveling, since they're stimulants that increase your heart rate and constrict your blood vessels.
It's also important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and to dress in layers so you can peel some off as you get warmed up.
One should also start shoveling at a slow pace to prevent rapid acceleration of heart rate.
Another health risk is throwing out your back, so warm up your muscles by stretching. Stand with your feet hip-width apart for good balance and bend from the knees, not your back. If you're shoveling and you begin to feel pain or soreness, stop working immediately to avoid injury.
Of course, if you really want to be totally safe, find a couple of teenage neighbors; give them a couple of bucks and a shovel, and stay inside.
One last hint for anyone doing some shoveling is to go with a smaller shovel – less snow means a lighter load to lift. While it will take a little longer to finish, there will be less strain and less chance for injury.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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