"Heart Attack Snow" / myLot

Boise, Idaho

December 4, 2024 5:07pm CST

I hadn't heard this term in years. More physically demanding that the treadmill shoveling snow is strenuous. Cold air added can be constricting to the blood vessels. That includes the coronary arteries. Of course, the body burns extra energy to stay warm and this can make physical activity more difficult. The article I read says that If we are getting along in years we really should ask our doctor if we should be shoveling snow. Oh, Ghee! And if he or she says no then what? From 1990 to 2006 about 195,000 people in the U S were treated in the ER for injuries and medical issues due to snow shoveling. Of those 6.7% were cardiac-related and there were 1,647 deaths. I guess the reasoning behind this post is to tell you folks out there who need to do snow shoveling to just be careful.

13 people like this

11 responses

Four Walls

@FourWalls (86568)

• United States

5 Dec 24

I hurt my shoulder shoveling “seven-layer snow,” which was an inch of snow, a little sleet, more snow, a little freezing rain, then more snow.

I have the perfect remedy for sn*w now: when they mention it, I leave town.

5 people like this

popciclecold

@popciclecold (40215)

• United States

5 Dec 24

Can't say that I blame you.

3 people like this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (86568)

• United States

5 Dec 24

@MarieCoyle — I don’t even want ice in my drinks.

2 people like this

Marie Coyle

@MarieCoyle (59105)

•

5 Dec 24

I like snow. I hate ice storms. Want some ice? It’s still pelting the windows!

4 people like this

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@DaddyEvil (174208)

• United States

4 Dec 24

I had a mild heart attack when I was shoveling snow while working at Walmart. The last few years, I haven't shoveled snow... I just wait until it melts off enough that I can drive without too much exertion. (Pretty wasn't happy when I refused to go shovel snow last Winter but I told her if she wanted to go shopping THAT bad, she could shovel the driveway and clean off the car... She went out and started but gave up after seeing how difficult it was.)

4 people like this

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@DaddyEvil (174208)

• United States

5 Dec 24

@popciclecold I don't doubt it at all. Shoveling snow gives anyone a good workout, whether you're physically ready for it or not.

I don't know how long I'll be talking on myLot like this but I'm giving it another try.

3 people like this

Marie Coyle

@MarieCoyle (59105)

•

5 Dec 24

@DaddyEvil I am so happy to see you post more, DE. You were missed very much.

3 people like this

@DaddyEvil (174208)

• United States

5 Dec 24

@MarieCoyle Thanks. Just don't count on me doing this for very long.

3 people like this

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Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

5 Dec 24

I think the big thing is to not do huge shovel fulls and take breaks

3 people like this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

Both of those are great advice.

1 person likes this

rakski

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

5 Dec 24

it would be a strenuous activity for sure, being out in the cold and exerting too much effort

2 people like this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

Use up a lot of calories.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

7 Dec 24

@rakski ......Good for those who want to lose some pounds.

1 person likes this

rakski

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

6 Dec 24

@celticeagle yes, that is for sure

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NJ Chicaa

@NJChicaa (127116)

• United States

4 Dec 24

It depends on the type of snow. Powdery snow that they get in the west isn't dangerous. It is the heavy wet snow we get on the East coast that can do someone in.

3 people like this

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celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

We are pretty lucky but some areas here gets nasty snow.

Marie Coyle

@MarieCoyle (59105)

•

5 Dec 24

Oh, we often get heavy wet snow in the Midwest. Trust me on that.

3 people like this

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LindaOH

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

5 Dec 24

The two plus feet of s**w that we have is very heavy. I would be leery of anyone over 30 shoveling the s**w. Have a good day.

2 people like this

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celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

7 Dec 24

@LindaOHio .........That's cool. It's good exercise for young people.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

Need to get some young teens out shoveling it.

1 person likes this

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

6 Dec 24

@celticeagle Got responses from the community page...two young women want to shovel. I need to find out how much they will charge.

1 person likes this

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BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (51811)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

5 Dec 24

One of my neighbors has been shovelling the city sidewalk in front of my house the last couple years, which is nice, but since I'm using the walker this year, I still have my path from the back all the way to the road to think about. I keep my walker under the back patio cover, but I don't know how it'll be using it in the snow.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

And there usually a light layer of snow left on the ground that could get slippery.

1 person likes this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

5 Dec 24

Be careful in the snow always.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

Excellent advice.

Loretta

@noni1959 (13009)

• United States

5 Dec 24

I saw a photo showing a huge path a man dug from his house that took four hours and he said he still had two more to go. I would think if someone lives where it snows that much, a blower would be less strenuous.

2 people like this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189793)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Dec 24

I agree. Afew $$ for s blower might save a life.