Can Shoveling Snow Be Dangerous to Your Heart?

Waking up to find a thick layer of fresh, crisp snow covering your entire neighborhood can be breathtaking.

But while most of us are less-than-enthusiastic at the thought of clearing snow from our driveways, there’s a legitimate health reason to avoid this chore.

Experts caution that you have a heightened risk of having a heart attack after shoveling heavy amounts of snow.

Does shoveling snow cause heart attacks?

Cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD, says many people underestimate just how strenuous snow shoveling can actually be.

“Snow shoveling is very similar to being at ‘peak exercise’ on a stress test, so it puts a lot of strain on your heart,” he says. “And for someone who isn’t used to actually exercising and being physically fit, it can predispose them to heart attacks.”

Symptoms of a heart attack after shoveling snow

Dr. Laffin says any significant onset of chest pain, trouble breathing or pain that radiates down the arm or into the neck are hallmark signs of a potential heart attack. Those are reasons to stop and seek medical attention right away.

However, also be sure to brush up on other less common signs of a heart attack because not all of them have classic symptoms.

In addition, if you notice you’re getting tired more easily, feeling like a cold sweat is coming on or feeling light-headed, these could also be signs of a heart attack.

Is shoveling snow bad for your heart?

Shoveling itself isn’t necessarily bad for you — it’s more the conditions under which you’re shoveling that can cause cardiac events.

Too much exertion, too quickly, can trigger a heart attack — especially in the cold — when our arteries tend to constrict, which in turn, can drive up our blood pressure.

Your risk of a heart attack also increases if you’ve been more sedentary than usual in the winter months. (One more reason why you shouldn’t hibernate!)

How to shovel safely

Plan to (or need to) shovel anyway? Dr. Laffin says it’s important to weigh your risks and benefits and proceed accordingly. Try following these 5 tips:

Don’t push yourself too hard

Take your time shoveling. If you feel your body beginning to get tired, go inside. Rest for a little bit.

Make the chore manageable

Try not to tackle your entire driveway all at once. Instead, Dr. Laffin says it’s smarter to divide up the work and take frequent breaks.

Treat shoveling like you would any other sport or exercise

Stay warm (don’t forget to dress appropriately) and hydrate while shoveling snow. It’s critical.

Pay careful attention to how you feel both before and after shoveling

If you or a loved one begins to show signs of heart trouble, or has trouble breathing after shoveling snow, call 911 immediately and seek medical care. If you’re not sure, it’s better to get it checked out.

When is it best to skip shoveling altogether?

If you have more than one medical condition or are over the age of 55, Dr. Laffin says it’s best to get someone else to shovel for you. It’s simply not worth the risk.

“Particularly people that have multiple medical conditions such as coronary artery disease or hypertension, or maybe they have overweight or obesity and don’t get a lot of physical activity — it’s not worth it to risk your heart,” he says.

“I think hiring the kid down the street to do it is a great idea,” Dr. Laffin says.