How Safe is Snow Shoveling?

posted on January 04, 2010

By Monal Patel – Assistant Outreach Coordinator

It’s that time of year again – winter, which brings piles of snow to clear from your sidewalks and driveways. The good news is that 15 minutes of snow shoveling counts as moderate physical activity according to the 1996 Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health.

The bad news is that at least 75,000 heart attacks occur each year during or shortly after strenuous physical exertion.  According to researchers, about 1 in every 3 of those heart attacks are deadly, and are among people over age 60 who have been shoveling snow. Snow shoveling may cause a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Also, shoveling is more difficult in the winter because the cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body.

So, you may wonder:  is snow shoveling a good idea if you’re older than 60? If you exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, and have no signs of heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, then it’s probably safe to snow shovel. Some helpful tips to consider are:

1. Avoid caffeine or nicotine for at least an hour before and after shoveling.
2. Eat lightly because eating draws blood into the stomach, which means that less blood is circulating to the rest of your body.
3. Stretching helps to open up blood vessels and improve circulation to the heart.
4. Dress in layers so that you don’t become overheated as you work.
5. Find the right tool for shoveling, because the lighter the load, the less strain you will have.

Snow shoveling may be a vigorous activity for some, so most importantly – listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain!