Heart Alert: The First Snowfall

Heart Alert: What you need to know about that first snowfall.

As a cardiologist, I tend to look at the weather forecast just a bit different than most people. I love the snowfall seeing Lincoln turn into a winter wonderland. Born and raised in Nebraska, I truly enjoy a the sight of a fresh snowfall. But when I’m on call, it’s a different story!

Déjà vu all over again

Snowfall often brings out heart attacks just waiting to happen. I remember a couple years ago when I was on call and in the Emergency Room at Bryan East Campus. It was about 1 a.m. and I walked in to see a patient. He started off by saying, “Well, I was shoveling snow earlier today….” I had a bit of a déjà vu at that point, as that was the fifth time that I heard that statement in the previous 12 hours!

Snow, cold weather and the heart attack

Shoveling snow is a physically strenuous task. As such, it has been associated with increased risk of heart attacks, but the reasons for this go beyond just physical stress. There are certainly several people who do not do much physical labor but then grab a shovel and go “all-out” when the first snowfall arrives. At times, simply the extra physical work causes their blood pressure and heart rate to increase, forcing the heart and lungs to work harder to the point of causing a heart attack. But there is also something to be said for the cold weather, too. Cold air causes the body’s blood vessels to constrict. This actually compromises blood flow to the heart, which increases the risk of a heart attack.

Heart-healthy snow shoveling tips

Enjoy the beauty of a fresh snowfall, and follow these important tips for your heart:

• Take plenty of time to rest while shoveling snow.
• Do not do anything more physically strenuous than you would do otherwise. In fact, you should try to do less physical work while shoveling snow than you would normally do around the house, at the gym, at work, etc., since the cold weather makes any physical stress even more taxing on the body.
• Bundle up! Please (just like Mom said), “Bundle up!” Keeping warm is critically important for many things in the body, including the heart.

Listen to your body

If you develop any pain in the chest while shoveling, the first thing to do is stop shoveling. Next, you should immediately go inside and call 911. The pain may just be sore muscles in your body from shoveling, but you never know. You should always call 911 if you have chest pain. It could be a heart attack, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Take it easy, be smart, listen to your body and don’t let a heart attack ruin the beauty of the season. Happy Holidays!