Whether you’re out shoveling snow or exposed to cold temperatures, winter weather can be a source of major stress on your cardiovascular system. In this post, Dr. Mark O’Shaughnessy, PPG – Cardiology, reminds us to take it slow, pay attention to what our bodies are telling us and take breaks as needed when fighting back against Old Man Winter.
Stress on your cardiovascular system
Shoveling snow is much harder on your body than walking or other daytime activities because it can be deceptively heavy. The average snow shovel can hold around one cubic foot of snow per scoop. Snow can weigh as little as 1 pound per cubic foot for light, fluffy kind to as much as 20 pounds per square foot for heavy, wet slush. Since clearing your driveway will likely take dozens of scoops, lifting snow can be even more strenuous than hitting the weight machines at the gym.
If you take a couch potato and send them into the gym to do a full-strength workout, that puts a lot of stress on the heart. The sudden overload of work on your body from shoveling can push your cardiovascular system to its limits. The vigorous exertion associated with this chore increases your risk of having a coronary incident. This is especially dangerous for individuals living with unknown coronary disease.
Cold temperatures are also a stressor on your cardiovascular system. Your heart has to work harder to pump the blood to keep you warm. In cold, our blood vessels will constrict, most notably in a person’s hands and feet. That triggers vasoconstriction, which constricts the coronary arteries as well.
When your blood vessels narrow, your heart must push harder to pump through narrower channels, which causes an increase in your blood pressure. And if you’re someone who already has blockages from high cholesterol or other coronary issues, it’s more likely that something will rupture and cause a heart attack.
What to look out for
Any chest discomfort. Chest pain is a misnomer; it’s not typically pain but more of a pressure or aching sensation in the chest. Also be mindful of any persistent symptoms from the waist up, including shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness or passing out.
Cardiac symptoms can sometimes be hard to distinguish from more common issues like indigestion or fatigue from exertion. If you’re feeling off, go inside, take a break, and warm up. If the symptoms go away, take it easy and make a note to bring it up with your doctor. But if symptoms persist, you need immediate medical attention. If they go away but experience it again after going back out, seek emergency help.
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