The act of shoveling snow requires a unique set of motions that can especially challenge the heart. Primarily, it involves arm work, which is more demanding on the heart than leg work.
“Upper body exertion from lifting snow is extremely vigorous,” says Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, a cardiologist with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We have less muscle mass in the upper body [compared with our legs], so when we use our upper body to do vigorous exercise, it places a bigger demand on our heart.”
Dr. Hayes adds that a mental aspect to shoveling may compel individuals to push themselves beyond their limits.
“People want to finish the driveway or the walk, so even when they start to feel super tired or even get a little chest pain, they don’t listen to their bodies and just keep going,” she says. “Some of these heart events may be attributed to stubborn people who just want to get their work done.”