Boston Residents Warned of Increased Heart Attack Risk from Shoveling Snow
A recent winter storm that dumped over two feet of snow on Massachusetts has left cardiologists in the Greater Boston area sounding the alarm: shoveling snow can trigger heart attacks.
Experts say that the physical exertion involved in shoveling, particularly when combined with cold temperatures and decreased mobility during the winter months, can lead to a sudden increase in cardiovascular stress. Within two minutes of shoveling, an individual's heart rate can reach 85% of their maximal predicted rate – a threshold that doctors use to diagnose stress-induced conditions.
Petro Gjini, a cardiologist at Sturdy Health in Attleboro, notes that the strain on the upper arm muscles used for shoveling is particularly demanding. "Shoveling is mostly upper-arm work, which is a little bit more taxing than and demanding on the heart than leg work is," he says.
Cardiologists are warning residents to be aware of symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, arm pain, excessive sweatiness, shortness of breath, and nausea. Claudia Hochberg, an interventional cardiologist at Boston Medical Center, emphasizes that these symptoms should not be dismissed as mere winter blues.
"Suddenly feeling anxious, or short winded, after shoveling is not normal and can be a sign of trouble," Hochberg warns.
Age also plays a role in this phenomenon. Sawalla Guseh, who specializes in sports cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, notes that the risk of heart attack from shoveling snow begins to increase around age 35, with a significant spike after age 55 to 60.
James Udelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Center, adds that even people without pre-existing conditions can face dire consequences if they underestimate their symptoms or delay seeking medical attention. "The most important thing for people who have chest pain at home or are probably having a heart attack is speed," he stresses.
To reduce the risk of a heart attack when shoveling snow, cardiologists recommend taking breaks every five to 10 minutes, pushing snow rather than lifting it, and warming up regularly. For those with pre-existing conditions, it's essential to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ultimately, being aware of these risks can help Boston residents stay safe during the winter months. "If you're unsure about the chest pressure or the symptoms that you're having, it's often better to be wrong and get evaluated than to have a heart attack and miss it," warns Youssef Rahban, a cardiologist at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
A recent winter storm that dumped over two feet of snow on Massachusetts has left cardiologists in the Greater Boston area sounding the alarm: shoveling snow can trigger heart attacks.
Experts say that the physical exertion involved in shoveling, particularly when combined with cold temperatures and decreased mobility during the winter months, can lead to a sudden increase in cardiovascular stress. Within two minutes of shoveling, an individual's heart rate can reach 85% of their maximal predicted rate – a threshold that doctors use to diagnose stress-induced conditions.
Petro Gjini, a cardiologist at Sturdy Health in Attleboro, notes that the strain on the upper arm muscles used for shoveling is particularly demanding. "Shoveling is mostly upper-arm work, which is a little bit more taxing than and demanding on the heart than leg work is," he says.
Cardiologists are warning residents to be aware of symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, arm pain, excessive sweatiness, shortness of breath, and nausea. Claudia Hochberg, an interventional cardiologist at Boston Medical Center, emphasizes that these symptoms should not be dismissed as mere winter blues.
"Suddenly feeling anxious, or short winded, after shoveling is not normal and can be a sign of trouble," Hochberg warns.
Age also plays a role in this phenomenon. Sawalla Guseh, who specializes in sports cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, notes that the risk of heart attack from shoveling snow begins to increase around age 35, with a significant spike after age 55 to 60.
James Udelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Center, adds that even people without pre-existing conditions can face dire consequences if they underestimate their symptoms or delay seeking medical attention. "The most important thing for people who have chest pain at home or are probably having a heart attack is speed," he stresses.
To reduce the risk of a heart attack when shoveling snow, cardiologists recommend taking breaks every five to 10 minutes, pushing snow rather than lifting it, and warming up regularly. For those with pre-existing conditions, it's essential to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ultimately, being aware of these risks can help Boston residents stay safe during the winter months. "If you're unsure about the chest pressure or the symptoms that you're having, it's often better to be wrong and get evaluated than to have a heart attack and miss it," warns Youssef Rahban, a cardiologist at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
shoveling is just exercise right? 
but seriously, if u r fit n healthy then ur probably fine 
cardiologists are just trying to scare ppl so they can get more patients 
idk about the age thing tho, 35 seems pretty young to me... maybe its just old ppl who r worried about snow shoveling or smthn 
It's just like walking up a flight of stairs or something. I know some cardiologists are warning about the risks, but I think people need to chill out a bit. Two feet of snow isn't going to kill anyone! 
Plus, if you're 35 and fit, you should be able to handle shoveling without breaking a sweat. And honestly, who shovels snow when it's -20°C outside? 
It's just not practical.
I know that's not the answer, but come on! And what's with all the emphasis on taking breaks every 5-10 minutes? That's just common sense, right? 
. but like, two minutes of intense physical activity? that's not even a workout for most people 
️. I mean, if you think you're gonna die from shoveling snow at 30, then maybe you should just hire someone to do it for you 
.
, but I was getting these weird chest pains out of the blue after a few minutes. Luckily, I brushed it off as just being tired from all the exercise (ha!), but now I see what those cardiologists are talking about! You gotta be honest with yourself, if you're feeling anxious or short winded after shoveling, don't ignore it, get checked out ASAP! It's way better to be safe than sorry 
. And omg, taking breaks is soooo important... I was trying to do the whole "clear the driveway in 5 mins" thing last time and ended up doing like 20 mins of shoveling and then just collapsing on the porch 
. Like, I get it, shoveling snow is no joke but 2ft of snow is insane! 
They're saying that shoveling can cause heart attacks and I just can't imagine being stuck inside with chest pain or shortness of breath because I couldn't shovel my driveway 
. What if you're over 55? 
It's not just about shoveling though, it's about being aware of the symptoms and knowing when to get help ASAP 
. Maybe we can all start a snow-shoveling buddy system so we can keep an eye on each other? 
That would be a lifesaver!
I mean, two feet of snow is just crazy! Anyway, can we talk about the whole "take breaks" thing? Like, come on, five to 10 minutes every now and then isn't exactly going to kill you... unless you're trying to clear a driveway in record time or something. But seriously, if your arm hurts that bad, maybe you should just call a snow-day service or ask for help? Just saying.
OMG, I'm so worried about all these Bostonians out there shoveling snow like their lives depend on it 
That's like, the most obvious thing to do! And I get it with age being a factor too, but like, come on, people! We all know someone who gets out there and thinks they're invincible 
I remember when we used to just bundle up and shovel like our grandmas taught us... now they're telling us to take breaks every 5-10 minutes 
. And don't even get me started on people around my age (35+) who think they can handle shoveling without issue... newsflash: you shouldn't be taking risks just 'cause you're young and healthy 
. I'm glad the doc's are sounding the alarm, but seriously, folks? Take it easy when it comes to shoveling snow, or risk having a heart attack 
!
I mean come on, 2 feet of snow in Boston? That's not even a blizzard! It's just another excuse for people to stay indoors and binge-watch Netflix instead of getting some exercise 
. Newsflash: if you're gonna shovel snow, do it anyway! You'll be fine... probably 
. And if you're not feeling great to start with, maybe just wait until spring? 
My grandma always says " winter blues" isn't a thing, but I guess this is why... 
.
. It sounds like the physical stress from shoveling can trigger heart attacks, especially when combined with cold temps and decreased mobility. Age is also a factor - after 35, the risk of heart attack goes up significantly.
. Take care of your heart, folks!