Health Dangers of

1. Health Dangers of SNOW SHOVELING George Revoir Jr.

2. "Let It Snow Let It Snow" Proper snow shoveling techniques can reduce back injury or lower your risk of a heart attack. • You should face the snow you're about to shovel. • Always keep your back straight, your knees bent, and throw the snow forward. • Avoid throwing snow over your shoulder. Twisting while throwing snow behind you can cause back strain. • Experts recommend that you push the shovel to move the snow and avoid lifting whenever possible. Some experts estimate that shoveling snow requires the same exertion as running nine miles an hour.

3. Safety Tips For Shoveling Snow Shoveling precautions: • Before shoveling, warm up with a few stretching exercises.  • Don't smoke or eat a large meal before shoveling.  • Dress warmly in layers with a hat. Cover your neck.  • Tackle heavy snow in two stages. Begin by skimming off the snow from the top, then remove the bottom layer. Avoid overloading the shovel. • Don't try to shovel too much too quickly. Allow yourself enough time to do the work so you don't feel rushed. Follow a slow and steady pace. Take frequent breaks to stand up and stretch. • Drink water during breaks. • Breathing cold air dehydrates the body.

4. More Advice for Safe Snow Shoveling Doing the Deed • Try to shovel the snow while it's new and light rather than partially melted, tightly packed and heavy. • Don't pick up too much at once, only fill one-half the shovel. If possible, use a small shovel. • If you can, push the snow rather than lifting it. • If you have to dump the snow, do it close to where you are shoveling. • If you can't dump it close, load it onto a big piece of cardboard and pull it away rather than heaving it. • Remember the old adage, lift with your knees - not your back. • Slightly bend your knees as you lift the shovel. • Pace yourself - it's not a race. Take frequent breaks, the snow will still be there! • If you feel any tightness in your chest or tingling in your arms - STOP! • Caution is the key word here - take it easy, be sensible and don't get stressed. If you don't get it all shoveled today, chances are it will be waiting for you tomorrow!

5. Dangerous Health Risks During an experiment recently; the heart rate, blood pressure and energy expenditures were monitored while 3 able bodied, healthy test subjects cleared a tract of heavy, wet snow in the cold for 10 minutes using “standard” lightweight plastic shovels. • Researchers found that snow shoveling requires about the same energy expenditure as an active round of singles tennis or speed walking at 5 m.p.h. For elderly or unfit people, these activities can be Herculean or possibly deadly efforts. • The most surprising discovery was shoveling's disproportionate strain on the heart. • The blood pressure and heart rates of the subjects rose to dangerously high levels, averaging 200 millimeters of mercury and 175 beats per minute, respectively. • These values were comparable to or higher than the maximum responses the same subjects achieved during exhaustive treadmill testing. Their heart rates climbed from a “resting” rate of 65 to over 128 after only two minutes of shoveling. For persons with a diagnosed heart condition or diabetes or respiratory problems this could easily be deadly

6. Dangerous Health Risks If you are over the age of 40, you MUST be careful when shoveling snow. If you have no known health problems, go ahead but observe stated safety advice. • Those suffering from hypertension or heart disease or diabetes SHOULD NOT shovel snow WITHOUT the explicit approval of their healthcare provider. • Anyone suffering from other types of chronic illnesses, especially lung disorders, should always discuss any type of strenuous exercise with their physician or healthcare provider.

7. Dangerous Health Risks Every winter many deaths are linked to the cardiac events commonly reported after heavy exertion while shoveling snow. • Among people with heart disease, such heavy physical exertion can lead to inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle, anginal chest pain and potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances. • The marked increases in heart rate and blood pressure that accompany snow shoveling may cause greater-than-usual flows that dislodge pieces of cholesterol and other fragments from blood vessel walls. The result: a heart attack. • Another surprising insight discovered in the tests was the magnitude of physical work involved. • The average weight of a shovel loaded with heavy, wet snow is about 16 pounds. The typical subject shoveled 12 times a minute, moving 192 pounds of snow. • After 10 minutes, researchers found each had lifted almost 2,000 pounds. • For persons who “normally” lead sedentary day to day lifestyles this is a fantastic strain on their “non-conditioned” heart .

8. Dangerous Health Risks Who then should not shovel snow? People older than 45 who have a history of heart disease, have symptoms that suggest a heart problem or major coronary risk factors are at increased risk. • Dr. William Kannel, former director of the Framingham Heart Study in Massachusetts, points out: • “That in 16 percent of all heart attacks "the first, the last, and the only symptom" of coronary distress is sudden cardiac death. • For some people then, the otherwise “simple task” of shoveling snow may be the trigger that exposes this silent killer.

9. Please Exercise Caution Keep your personal Safety in mind while Shoveling Snow "Let It Melt *Let It Melt *Let It Melt"