The cold and the snow of common with winter weather can also be health hazards. The cold air can decrease oxygen flow to the heart by constricting blood vessels. Even simple acts like walking become more challenging, and many individuals are at risk for a heart attack.
Strenuous Activities
Many people perform activities in the winter which they cannot during warmer weather. Cross-country and downhill skiing can be strenuous activities if your body is not prepared for them. Shoveling snow also puts a strain on the heart. Even pushing a snow blower carries a risk.
Everyday activities become more difficult with wet, heavy snow blanketing the ground, or with large snow drifts to walk over. If your heart rate goes up, your blood pressure may also spike which can lead to a heart attack.
Who Is at Risk?
Certain individuals must exercise caution when engaging in common wintertime activities. If you have had a heart attack before, or if you have heart disease, consult with a physician before cross-country skiing. If your blood pressure or cholesterol is high, if you smoke or if you do not often get exercise, you likewise are at a higher risk for a heart attack.
Protect Your Heart
If you do need to engage in strenuous activity, take the proper precautions.
Signs of a Heart Attack
If you get light headed or are short of breath, you may be having a heart attack. Tightness or burning in the neck, jaw, chest, arms or back, especially on the left side, could also signal a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you experience these symptoms.