SATURDAY, Dec. 14, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Shoveling snow can increase your risk of heart attack, and you should take precautions to protect yourself, an expert says.
"When the temperature outside drops, our blood vessels narrow to prevent our bodies from losing heat," Dr. Holly Andersen, director of education and outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said in a hospital news release. "This is a natural response that can also put people with heart conditions and those involved in strenuous exercise at greater risk of having a heart attack."
Andersen said shoveling snow is one of the most strenuous and dangerous winter activities. It can boost blood pressure and, combined with the effects of frigid temperatures, can significantly increase heart attack risk.
Andersen offered the following advice for safe shoveling and good heart health this winter:
More information
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more about winter health and safety.