Why Shoveling Snow Could Kill You
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omb Cyclone, Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, the Polar Vortex
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Whatever you call it \u2013 it\u2019s still just a really big snowstorm.
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But with really big snow storms \u2013 and even everyday, run-of-the-mill snowfalls \u2013 comes a risk of death by shoveling. Nationwide, snow shoveling is responsible for thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths each year.
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So, why so many deaths? Shoveling snow is just another household chore, right?
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Not at all, says Harvard Health Executive Editor Patrick J. Skerrett.
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\u201cPicking up a shovel and moving hundreds of pounds of snow, particularly after doing nothing physical for several months, can put a big strain on the heart,\u201d says Skerrett.
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Cold weather can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It can make blood clot more easily and constrict arteries, which decreases blood supply. This is true even in healthy people. Individuals over the age of 40 or who are relatively inactive should be particularly careful.
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National Safety Council recommends the following tips to shovel safely.
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- Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
- Take it slow and stretch out before you begin
- Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it\u2019s lighter
- Push the snow rather than lifting it
- If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
- Lift with your legs, not your back
- Do not work to the point of exhaustion
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Don\u2019t pick up that shovel without a doctor\u2019s permission if you have a history of heart disease. If you feel tightness in the chest or dizziness, stop immediately. A clear driveway is not worth your life.
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