US EditionThere’s going to be lots of snow and ice to shovel this weekend. Don’t overdo it
- Earlier this week, the American Heart Association warned shoveling heavy snow raises sudden cardiac arrest risk for adults about 45 and older, especially with known or hidden heart disease.
- Because cold air causes vasoconstriction, Barry Franklin, Ph.D., explained shoveling produces sudden heart rate and blood pressure spikes while breath‑holding and stillness raise cardiac strain further.
- Research shows shoveling 16-pound loads 12 times a minute for 10 minutes totals almost 2,000 pounds, while a study years ago found heart rates can reach 97% of maximum.
- If you experience chest pain or severe symptoms, call 911 immediately, and Dr. Sudip Saha advises hiring help or a younger family member to clear snow safely.
- Meteorologists have dubbed heavy, wet snow `heart attack snow` as a Canadian study found storms of at least 7-8 inches raise men's hospitalizations by 16% and deaths by 34%, so experts advise warming up muscles before shoveling.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Shoveling snow could pose dangerous health risk for one group, experts warn
As the country braces for a major winter storm this weekend, heart health experts have shared warnings of the physical strain shoveling can take — particularly for older adults.A 2025 Mayo Clinic review found that just 10 minutes of heavy snow shoveling can push the heart to about 97% of its maximum rate. Exposure to cold air was also found to increase blood pressure and reduce coronary blood flow.While there isn’t an official age that’s "too ol…
Yes, You Can Really Have a Heart Attack From Shoveling Snow
You may have heard of people—elderly folks in particular—getting a heart attack from shoveling snow. This is a real risk for a lot of people, especially if you are sedentary and have certain health conditions. Here's a breakdown of what’s so dangerous about shoveling, and who's most at risk. Snow shoveling is hard exerciseThe connection between shoveling and cardiac events is real: The American Heart Association cites several studies that found …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 76% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
