Shovel Snow Safely

   Think snow shoveling is easy?  Consider this:  The average shoveler lifts about a ton of snow per session.  That says a lot about a common activity that causes uncommon trouble.

   According to some statistics, about 1,200 people die of heart attacks during or after a big snow and many more have nonfatal heart attacks.  The reason:  Many people with undiagnosed heart disease decide to shovel snow, an activity that rapidly increases heart rate and blood pressure.

   Snow shoveling can take you to maximum exertion rapidly.  A pivotal study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that a shoveler reaches maximum exertion in just 10 minutes.

   Snow shoveling is mostly isometric exercise.  Your muscles work, but there’s little movement until you throw the snow.  This puts more strain on the heart than the leg exercise.

   If you must shovel, remember that fresh snow is lighter weight so shovel early and use a small shovel.  This way you don’t lift so much at one time.  Rest every three or four minutes.