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Kickstarting December, several inches of snow have covered the United States this week; however, while some may be enjoying time off from school or work, others are busy cleaning driveways, sidewalks and porches.
As frigid winter nears, more people will gather up their snow shovels (or blowers) to take on the vigorous task. While shoveling snow may sound like a common household chore to some, it can be dangerous, and in some cases, fatal for those who do not exercise regularly and/or have pre-existing heart conditions.
"Shoveling a little snow off your sidewalk may not seem like hard work. However, the strain of heavy snow shoveling may be as or even more demanding on the heart than taking a treadmill stress test," Dr. Barry Franklin, a former American Heart Association volunteer, said in a news release.
Between 1990 and 2006, nearly 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snow-shovel-related accidents, with more than 1,600 deaths reported in that time frame, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.
With winter on the horizon, here's what to know about keeping your body in shape while getting yard work done.
Dr. John Osborne, AHA volunteer, said adults 65 and older should be "more wary" of snow shoveling and individuals with risk factors for heart disease, such as tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, hypertension or high cholesterol should be extra mindful.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/old-too-old-shovel-snow-205236676.html
As frigid winter nears, more people will gather up their snow shovels (or blowers) to take on the vigorous task. While shoveling snow may sound like a common household chore to some, it can be dangerous, and in some cases, fatal for those who do not exercise regularly and/or have pre-existing heart conditions.
"Shoveling a little snow off your sidewalk may not seem like hard work. However, the strain of heavy snow shoveling may be as or even more demanding on the heart than taking a treadmill stress test," Dr. Barry Franklin, a former American Heart Association volunteer, said in a news release.
Between 1990 and 2006, nearly 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snow-shovel-related accidents, with more than 1,600 deaths reported in that time frame, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.
With winter on the horizon, here's what to know about keeping your body in shape while getting yard work done.
How old is too old to shovel snow?
Experts have not pinned down an exact age for when it's best to retire from snow shoveling, and recommendations they do have can vary widely.Dr. John Osborne, AHA volunteer, said adults 65 and older should be "more wary" of snow shoveling and individuals with risk factors for heart disease, such as tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, hypertension or high cholesterol should be extra mindful.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/old-too-old-shovel-snow-205236676.html
