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- $Unique_ID{BRK01089}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{The Dangers of Shoveling Snow}
- $Subject{snow shovel shoveling hazardous hazards heart attack attacks
- Community Social Circulatory exercise exercising pain chest neck arm arms
- abdomen weakness cold sweat shortness breath nausea behavior behaviors
- lifestyle lifestyles}
- $Volume{Q-3, Q-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- The Dangers of Shoveling Snow
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-
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-
- QUESTION: When the snow falls, and covers our walk, my 67 year old husband
- becomes Mr. Macho himself, and decides that a little shoveling is just the
- exercise he needs to get fit and make up for the hours he spends sitting in
- his chair and watching television. I keep telling him it could kill him, but
- he doesn't listen. Maybe some words from you can get through, and save his
- life as well as others. Please help.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: That white stuff seems so light as it floats gently to earth, that it
- is easy to believe that little effort is needed to brush it aside or shovel it
- off the walk. Don't be fooled; shoveling snow is real work, requiring a good
- deal of muscle power and energy to accomplish the task. And to a "couch
- potato" who is unaccustomed to the physical effort, there may be a real danger
- of heart attack, which is increased if he is carrying around a few extra
- pounds. However, there are a few simple tips that can help get the job done
- safely, and they apply as well to those who consider themselves to be in good
- shape. Treat the shoveling job as you would any vigorous exercise, and start
- by warming up gradually, throwing in a few stretching maneuvers as well. Take
- your time, proceeding at a leisurely pace, with frequent stops and several
- minutes of rest. Keep the load light, by only partially filling the shovel.
- Protect your back as well by grasping the handle near the blade, assuming a
- balanced position with knees slightly flexed, to help take up the load. Good
- sense demands that you dress properly against the cold, wearing a hat and
- gloves, warm boots or shoes, and several layers of roomy clothing. After the
- heavy work is finished, take 10 to 15 minutes to cool down gradually, with
- activity slowing up over time. Smoking, alcoholic or caffeine containing
- beverages during or after exposure to cold can affect circulation and further
- tax the heart. Above all, play it very smart. Any pain in the chest, neck,
- arms or abdomen, weakness, cold sweat, shortness of breath, or nausea are
- signals from your body that something is wrong, and that emergency medical
- attention is needed at once. Don't try to "tough it out". And if all these
- cautions and rules have made you think twice, then pay heed to your wife, and
- give the kids down the block a few bucks to do the job for you.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-