People who are outdoors in cold weather should avoid sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow. Even walking through heavy, wet snow or snow drifts can strain a person’s heart. It’s important to know how cold weather can affect your heart, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.
- Go easy on shoveling. After a snowstorm, shovel slowly and take frequent breaks. The act of lifting
heavy snow can raise your blood pressure. Try using a small shovel to lighten the load and the strain
on your heart. If you have had a heart attack in the past, or any other heart problems,
you should avoid shoveling. - Learn the signs of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, chest or upper body
pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain may all be symptoms
of a heart attack. When in doubt, call 911 and describe your symptoms. - Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before or after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put added burden
on your heart. Alcohol can stimulate the feeling of warmth, and you may not be able to properly
judge if the cold weather is impacting your body temperature, putting you at risk for hypothermia. - Prevent hypothermia. According to the American Heart Association, hypothermia is the leading
contributor to death by heart failure. To prevent hypothermia, you should dress for the cold weather.
Wear warm layers of quick-dry synthetic material, with special attention to covering your head and
chest to trap your body’s heat. - Avoid overheating. While it’s important to dress warmly in cold weather, it’s also important to avoid
getting overheated. Too much warm clothing may cause blood vessels to dilate, which can
dramatically lower blood pressure and potentially lead to a heart attack. Dress in layers. If you start
to sweat, remove a layer until you cool down. - Maintain a heart-healthy diet. During the winter, it’s easy to eat loads of heavy food to stay warm.
Instead, wear warm layers and remember to control your portion size, eat fruits and vegetables, and
select whole grains. - Get a flu shot. The flu causes inflammation which can increase your chances of a heart attack. A flu
shot is recommended for all ages, but especially for those ages 65 and above, those at high risk for
the flu, or people who suffer from cardiovascular disease. - Fill prescriptions. Snowy or icy weather can keep you from getting prescriptions filled. If you haven’t
had your medications, and blood pressure is not adequately controlled, it can increase heart attack risk.
