Cold-Blooded: Heart Fact #11

With another snow and ice storm making its way across the country and temperature drop to insane lows, I can't help but feel the chill. Not only do my muscles and joints ache from the cold, I feel like I have to work harder to move around. Your heart actually has to work harder when temperatures are low to keep your core temperature up. Cold weather can be extremely dangerous for people with heart disease.

To avoid heart failure from hypothermia or stroke from physical exertion follow these tips from metrohealth.org:

Before You Shovel Snow

• Talk to your doctor before you take on this task of snow shoveling
• Avoid shoveling immediately after you awaken as most heart attacks occur early in the morning when blood is more prone to clotting. Wait for at least 30 minutes and warm up
• Do not eat heavy meal before shoveling: blood gets diverted form the heart to the stomach
• Warm up your muscles before starting by walking for a few minutes or marching in place
• Do not drink coffee or smoke for at least one hour before or one hour after shoveling or during breaks. These are stimulants and elevate your blood pressure and heart rate

While Shoveling Snow

• Use a small shovel: shovel many small loads instead of heavy ones
• Begin slowly and take frequent, 15 minute breaks
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Dress in layers, to avoid hypothermia (low body temperature) or overheating
• Cover your head and neck (50% body heat lost thru head and neck)
• Cover your mouth (breathing cold air can cause angina or trigger breathing problems
• Watch for warning signs of a heart attack, lightheadedness, dizziness, being short of breath or if you have tightness or burning in chest, neck, arms or back. If you think you are having a heart attack call 911.