Shoveling snow is like strenuous exercise, say experts, so caution is advised.
Photo Credit: Mike Groll/Associated Press
Most of Canada gets plenty of snow in winter, and most Canadians have to shovel it in order to get down their walks or to move their cars. The problem is that many Canadians are physically inactive and shovelling snow is a strenuous activity which, like any other, can be dangerous for those who are not in shape.
“We have a lot of people who, for the first time in maybe a few months or the first time in even a year, they’re really putting their body through a very vigorous, unaccustomed-to activity,” says Matthew Mayer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
‘The body is not able to adapt’
“They may have some underlying health condition. They may have some underlying heart disease. When you put that amount of unaccustomed-to stress on the body, your body’s not able to adapt to it…to accommodate the physical needs to achieve that level of exertion.”
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Blood vessels can be blocked, they can erupt and a fatal heart attack can result.
The best way for people to avoid such a scenario, says Mayer, is to stay fit all year around.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation has several other recommendations:
| “Warm up. Shovelling snow is a demanding physical activity. It’s a good idea to warm up first, as you would before any intense sport. Take a short walk to get the blood flowing before you pick up the shovel.
Take a breather. Don’t push yourself to get the driveway clear in a hurry. Take frequent breaks and sip water to stay hydrated. If you’re tired, finish the job later.
Work first, eat later. After a large meal, your body is already working hard to digest food. Stepping out to clear the driveway soon after can put extra strain on your heart.
Plan ahead. Watch your local forecast for extreme cold weather alerts. Plan enough time for snow shovelling, running errands and walking outdoors.
Get help with the heavy lifting. Ask family members or friends, or find out if your community offers help with snow removal.
Leave the car at home. As much as you can, avoid driving in bad weather when your car can get stuck. Pushing a car out of a snowbank can overwork your heart. If you’ve had a heart attack, it’s recommended to wait four to six weeks before getting behind the wheel, as fatigue, weakness and medications can slow reaction time.
IMPORTANT: Stop activity if you experience sudden shortness of breath, discomfort in the chest, lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, or severe headache and immediately seek medical attention.” |
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