Regions Hospital: News Release December 1, 2007

News Release December 1, 2007

Regions Hospital offers tips for season's first major snow storm

St. Paul, Minn. – As Minnesotans prepare for the first major snowfall of the season, cardiologists at Regions Hospital in St. Paul remind area residents to be careful when picking up their shovels for the first time this winter. Studies have shown a link between snow shoveling and heart attacks. As many as 1,200 people nationwide die annually of coronary artery disease during and after major snowstorms, according to one study.

"For most people, shoveling snow does not present a health risk," said Dr. Stephen Smalley, a Regions cardiologist. "However, shoveling can be a very vigorous physical activity and the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling increases among older adults, those who lead a sedentary lifestyle or have been diagnosed with a heart condition."

Doctors at Regions offer these tips:

If you are inactive or have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you take on the task of shoveling snow.
Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.
Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as it is in the summer.
Warm up. Stretch the muscles in your arms and legs, because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.
Pick the right shovel for you. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body.
Pick-up smaller loads of snow and lift with your legs not your back.
Save your back and your energy by simply pushing the snow to the side instead of lifting the snow and throwing it off to the side.
If you feel the warning signs for heart attack, stop what you're doing immediately and call 9-1-1.
The warning signs of a heart attack include:

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck and arms.
Chest discomfort with lightheadness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Regions Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private, non-profit hospital providing outstanding care in women's health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, neuroscience, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com.

Contact: Vince Rivard
612-247-0512
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