This Winter - Bury Your Heart Attack Risk

It’s not uncommon to hear one say that another has a “cold heart.” This winter, Franciscan Physicians Hospital is providing some tips to keep you from having a “cold heart,” quite literally.

The combination of shoveling and typical winter temperatures causes a significant increase in heart attacks with heart attack deaths tripling among men 35 to 49 years old, says Daniel Forman, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist.

With a heightened risk to you and your health in the winter season, it’s important to review the symptoms and signs of a heart attack so that you’re aware if you’re having one.
The American Heart Association lists these prominent symptoms that should be recognized and treated immediately:

• chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• shortness of breath with or without discomfort
• other signs that include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Be aware of the signs and symptoms for the safety of you and your loved ones. Now take a look at some common tips from the American Heart Association to reduce the stress on your heart while shoveling snow.

• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. This puts an extra load on your heart.
• Take frequent breaks during shoveling so that you don’t overstress your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow blower.
• When possible, simply push the snow instead of lifting it.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.
• Don’t drink alcohol before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol produces a sense of warmth and may cause an underestimation of the strain that the cold is having on your body.
• Consult your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall to assess your risk of heart attack.
• Know the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes the most deaths in hypothermia, so be sure to dress warm.

Utilizing these tips will help you to avoid a heart attack from snow shoveling. Whenever possible, utilize alternate methods for removing snow such as plowing, snow blowing or asking a neighbor to help out. Minimizing the strain on your heart will minimize the risk your heart endures.