Cardiologist warns snow shoveling leads to uptick in heart attacks

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Studies show a strong correlation between shoveling snow and experiencing a cardiac event, like a heart attack. A cardiologist shared advice everyone should follow to prevent a heart attack or sudden death.

After roughly 4 to 8 inches of snow fell around Albany on Sunday night, many people were outside on Monday shoveling snow.

Snowfall and temperatures are a risk factor for cardiac arrest and snow shoveling can substantially increase the risk. 

A cardiologist said even if you don’t have a pre-existing condition, you should always pay close attention to how your body feels while you’re shoveling snow, because you could potentially end up seeking medical attention. 

“Every large snowstorm we have a few patients come in that day, or in the days afterwards, who say, ‘Oh I was out shoveling snow.’ We have an urgent care walk-in at all of our locations. So we have patients come in and say, ‘Yeah something was going on,’ and many times it turns out to be nothing,” said Dr. Lance Sullenberger.

He is a cardiologist and the Chief Operating Officer at Capital Cardiology Associates. He said the cold weather alone is a risk factor, and it becomes even more risky when you exert yourself.

“However, there is a certain percentage of those patients who have symptoms who have significant underlying coronary disease,” said Sullenberger.

He said if you're not used to regular physical activity, it’s especially important that you pay close attention to how your body feels while shoveling snow.

“We try to remind people to break it up into time periods that are short, maybe 10 to 20 minutes. Don’t try to do the extended 30 minutes or longer if you’re not used to that level of exercise,” said Sullenberger. He said, in addition, you should shovel smaller scoops. 

The impacts vary, slightly, by gender but he urges anyone with symptoms to get them evaluated. And for people with pre-existing conditions, he recommends paying someone to shovel for you, or having a relative come over to do it. And, if you don’t have a health condition…

“If your neighbor who is maybe older is out there trying to get the work done and you’re of a healthy age and a healthy body, go out and help your neighbors out. This is a community responsibility to try to help each other,” said Sullenberger. 

You should keep Dr. Sullenberger’s advice in mind because even though the snow has stopped for now, this snow is expected to stick around with dangerously cold weather expected now through Wednesday night.