Lifting 10 shovels of wet snow in one minute’s time is comparable to climbing seven flights of stairs. A full shovel of wet snow can weigh as much as 20 pounds.
Lightening the load may not help. If the shovel and snow weigh only nine pounds, lifting ten shovelfulls in one minute is the same as climbing three flights of stairs.
When you are clearing a large area you are placing tremendous strain on your heart.
To lessen the risk of heart attack follow these guidelines:
* Don’t shovel snow if you know your blood pressure is high or if you have heart disease.
* If you are not in top physical condition, take it very slow and easy. Load the shovel only half full, or even less if the snow is wet, and move only a few shovels in a minute’s time. Rest often.
* Cover your head because 30 percent of body heat is lost through the head. Low temperatures can cause a rise in blood pressure in some people and can also cause a spasm of the coronary arteries.
* Move your legs frequently to help pump blood through the leg veins. If you don’t move your legs frequently while shoveling, blood may pool in the legs.
* Watch your breathing. It is a natural inclination to hold your breath as you lift a heavy shovel of snow. Since this decreases the return of blood to the heart, it can cause cardiac irregularities.
* Avoid the use of alcohol, cigarettes and coffee before shoveling snow. These substances dilate blood vessels, and that means you won’t be able to retain the body heat you need when in the cold.
* It’s unwise to shovel snow soon after a large meal. Blood is being diverted to help the body digest the food and less blood is available to allow circulation to the fingers and toes.
* People in good physical condition because of jogging or bicycling should not assume they are immune from heart attacks. These exercises may not be strengthening the arm’s muscles to the same degree as leg muscles. Since shoveling snow involves the arms, the heart has to work harder to pump blood because circulation in the arms is usually less efficient.