Snow Shoveling: Remember, Your HEART Is A Muscle, Too!

When you live in a region that experiences the magnificent four seasons, you must expect go with the flow...

Spring gives rise to rainy days, leaving us with slippery grounds and aggravating allergies.
Summer brings on the heat, increasing perspiration and dehydration.
Fall leads to leaves scattered across our lawns awaiting our clean-up.
And then there's Winter, welcoming us with sweaters, scarves and snow.

Snowfalls make for creative photography, and can create fun for all ages: skiing, sledding, ice-skating, snowshoeing (my favorite!), days off from work and/or school... Ah, the list can go on and on. But major snowfalls also initiate another activity: Shoveling. Not so fun (unless you have someone to do it with, and a cup of hot chocolate awaiting you). However, if you have an optimistic perspective on the chore, you can consider it your exercise for the day!

According to the National Institutes of Health, Americans will benefit from at least 30-minutes of moderate- intensity exercise most days of the week. This leads to weight loss and overall good health, as well as reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, our nation's leading cause of death. Snow shoveling for 15 minutes is considered an acceptable moderate-intensity activity, and given that if the amount of a snowfall is great enough to warrant shoveling, it'll likely take more than 15 minutes to clear.

Some things to think about before heading for your shovel (tip: a plastic one is often lighter than a metal one):
Do you have a history of heart trouble?
Are you an inactive adult over the age of 50?
Do you have a family history of heart disease?
Do you have any critical health conditions?

If any of the circumstances listed above apply to you, if you are elderly, or if you have any reason why snowshoveling is not tolerable, ask a family member or friend to lend a hand, or hire a reliable neighbor or professional to do the job.

Physical effort of any kind in the cold weather puts an added workload on your heart. So while you're shoveling (or skiing or skating or snowshoeing), remember that while your biceps and quadriceps and gluteal muscles are getting a workout, so is your heart! Since you can't feel it working, as you would a tired back muscle or overstretched hamstring, be aware of the some of the signs of an overworked heart: chest discomfort, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

To learn more about heart disease and physical activity, visit the web sites of the  American Heart Association or the National Institutes of Health. If you are interested in taking a CPR class, click here.