When a snowstorm dumps a wintry mix on your doorstep, someone has to get rid of it. With that, it only makes sense to shovel snow to clear a path. But there’s a hidden health risk of shoveling snow over a certain age, doctors warn.
“I don’t think people realize how taxing or high-intensity shoveling snow can be,” says Kate Elfrey, D.O., a cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.
There are a few reasons why doctors recommend proceeding with caution in the snow-shoveling department, but a lot has to do with heart attack risk. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) specifically warns about the dangers of shoveling snow, noting that it can be risky for people with and without a history of heart disease.
Meet the experts: Andrew Choi, M.D., director of non-invasive cardiology at GW Medical Faculty and Associates; Mark Conroy, M.D.,, an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Kate Elfrey, D.O.,a cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.; Hosam Hmoud, M.D., a cardiologist at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital
While falling on ice is also a danger, why is shoveling snow so dangerous and what’s the age after which doctors are especially concerned? We tapped three cardiologists and an emergency room physician for more.
Why is shoveling snow potentially dangerous?
There are a few reasons why shoveling snow may be dangerous.
For starters, shoveling snow happens in cold weather, which can be hard on your heart. “Chilly weather causes arteries to narrow, limiting blood flow to the heart,” says Andrew Choi, M.D., director of non-invasive cardiology at GW Medical Faculty and Associates. “When paired with low temperatures, strenuous activities like shoveling snow can put significant strain on the heart with increases in heart rate and blood pressure that may trigger a heart attack.”
If you have underlying heart disease, shoveling snow can tax your system even more, says Mark Conroy, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Shoveling snow also increases blood oxygen demand from your muscles, which may lead to decreased blood flow to your heart, says Hosam Hmoud, M.D., a cardiologist at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital. “In the presence of existing coronary artery blockages, that can lead to adverse events such as heart attack and sudden cardiac death,” he says.
Falls are a concern, too. “There’s an elevated risk of fall and head trauma in elderly patients and those with gait abnormalities,” Dr. Hmoud says.
If you’re not used to exercising regularly, this may put an especially big strain on your body, Dr. Elfrey says. “You have to expend a high amount of energy to get snow off your car or to make a pathway to your car,” she says. “It’s like going from sitting on the couch to running a marathon, with no training in between.”
At what age do doctors warn against shoveling snow?
Doctors say it’s hard to assign an exact age to this, given that factors like your fitness level, weight status, and underlying health conditions play a role in how taxing shoveling snow will be for you.
“Age plays a role because as we all age, our chance of having an underlying cardiovascular disease increases,” Dr. Conroy says. “The presence of those conditions contributes to the risk shoveling snow presents to our bodies.”
Dr. Conroy recommends being especially aware of the risks of shoveling snow when you reach your mid-40s. “While there is no defined age, it is important to take into consideration underlying conditions as well as overall health,” he says. “I often discuss with patients that 45 years of age is typically the magic age for increased risk of heart diseases.” But, if you smoke regularly, have overweight or obesity, or have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, there’s a higher risk of heart disease earlier, he says.
How to avoid falls on the ice
Dr. Choi points to advice from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to lower the risk of falling on ice:
- Keep your outside walkways clear of snow and ice by using an ice-melt product or sand.
- Use railings to lower the risk of slipping on stairs or walkways.
- Wear non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear.
How to clear your driveway safely
Doctors have a few recommendations on how to clear snow when you’re older.
- Ask for help. “This is the best thing you can do,” Dr. Elfrey says. Enlist a neighbor or someone in your community to do the job.
- Consider a snowblower. This is clearly a big investment, but it’s worth considering if you get a lot of snow in your area. “It’s not an entirely risk-free alternative because there is exertion with steering and moving the machine,” Dr. Conroy says. But it should require less strain.
- Use an app. New app-based services like Shovler and QuikPlow are like “Uber for snow-shoveling,” Dr. Choi says. These are meant to help connect people who need help shoveling snow with someone who can do the job for them.
If you have to do your own shoveling, Dr. Choi recommends staying well-hydrated, working slowly, and taking regular breaks. “Use a shovel with a small blade to lighten the load,” he says. He also suggests dressing in layers so you can remove clothes if you get too warm. “Overheating can lead to a heart attack,” Dr. Choi says.
Dr. Elrey suggests staying on top of the snow, shoveling every few hours to keep it from really building up.
Again, if you can, asking for help is the best way to go. “If a family member or friend can help, that’s the best situation,” Dr. Elrey says.
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