Snow shoveling linked to increase in cardiac problems, risk of heart attack

Shoveling may be ‘a real pain,’ but there are literal health concerns. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk digs into that story.

Health officials are urging people to take precautions when shoveling snow this winter.

The strenuous activity can put people at risk of a heart attack or other cardiac incident, said Dr. Al Qahwash, the director of cardiac care and critical care for the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN).

“We treat shoveling like it’s something easy. It really can’t be treated that way,” he said.

According Qahwash, emergency departments see a 10 to 20 per cent increase in cardiac patients during the winter months.

“It’s actually very strenuous on your heart and your health,” said Qahwash.

To prevent serious injuries, Qahwash recommends following the 5 S’s of shoveling safety:

• Stretch – Making sure your body, arms, legs and back are stretched and warmed up.
• Shift – Clear the driveway in shifts; take on smaller areas and take breaks.
• Size – Use a lighter shovel; smaller loads are better.
• Slow down – Pace yourself, don’t strain yourself.
• Signs – Watch for signs of a heart attack: shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. Call 911.

Qahwash also said the risk can be higher for those with certain conditions.

“Age, stress, family history, increased cholesterol, increased blood pressure are all factors that impact cardiac health,” he said. “So we need to make sure that folks are taking the proper precautions before they go out there shoveling.”

Since it’s only the beginning of the snowy season, Qahwash urged people to be prepared.

“Make sure that you start off with stretching, making sure that you have a proper shovel, good footwear,” he said. “We don’t want anybody falling on ice and breaking a bone.”

Can’t shovel?

If you aren’t able to shovel your own driveway, there are support programs available.

Snow Angels Canada is a nation-wide program that matches volunteer snow shovelers with people in need. Anyone can sign up for service or to volunteer no matter where they live: https://snowangelscanada.ca/

The City of Waterloo also has a program for snow clearing to help eligible residents aged 65 and older: https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/snow-removal.aspx#Eligibility-requirements