As winter storm drifts across parts of the U.S., many people are finding that shoveling snow can become a serious workout, especially for those who are older.
A recent Mayo Clinic study showed that a mere ten minutes of heavy shoveling can elevate a heart’s rate to roughly 97 % of its maximum, while the cold air boosts blood pressure and diminishes the flow of blood to the heart’s arteries.
There isn’t a hard “age limit” for shoveling, but many cardiologists encourage extra vigilance for anyone over 45. “While there’s no strict age cutoff, generally above the age of mid 40s and above, we tend to be a little more cautious — particularly in people who are less active [without] regular exercise,” Dr. Navjot Kaur Sobti, an interventional cardiologist at Northwell’s Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York, told Fox News Digital.
She also added, “Certainly in people who are above the age of 65 — and who have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity or sedentary lifestyle — we recommend being very, very cautious about shoveling snow,” she advised.
Cardiologist Dr. John Osborne, who works in Texas and volunteers with the American Heart Association, echoes these recommendations, especially for men over 65. “Unless you are in good cardiovascular shape and conditioned, it may be a good idea to ask someone for help,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
People with prior heart issues, such as a heart attack or stroke, or who have had bypass surgery or angioplasty, are particularly at risk. “People with these characteristics and those who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty simply should not be shoveling snow in any conditions,” Osborne warned.
He notes that many individuals lead sedentary lives: sitting at a computer all day with minimal exercise. “Then once or twice a year, they go out and try to shovel the driveway after a heavy snowfall, and that unexpected exertion can unfortunately lead to tragedy.”
The physical demand of shoveling mirrors, and may even exceed, that of a formal cardiac stress test, Sobti pointed out. Cold weather tightens blood vessels, raising pressure and adding strain to an already burdened heart. “It’s almost like an at‑risk person is putting themselves through an unsupervised maximal exertion stress test without a cardiologist actively monitoring them,” Sobti told Fox News Digital.
New research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last month found that cold exposure is responsible for nearly twice as many cardiovascular deaths as heat exposure, especially among those over 65. “So the risk is very, very high,” Sobti cautioned. “It’s really that sudden rise in blood pressure coupled with the physical stress of snow shoveling itself.”
Safer Shoveling Practices
If you must shovel, it’s best to enlist help. If you are alone, pace yourself and use a pushing or sweeping technique rather than lifting heavy loads. Protect yourself from the chill: cover your mouth and nose, wear hat and gloves, and exercise caution when wind intensifies.
Even a snow blower can raise heart rate significantly—up to 120 beats per minute—compared to 170 during shoveling, the American Heart Association notes online.
Stay alert for warning signs while shoveling. Any chest pain, shortness of breath, a racing heart or palpitations should not be ignored. Even if the discomfort subsides, you could still be dealing with a heart attack. “It’s better really to be safe than sorry.”
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