Health Experts Warn of “Heart Attack Snow”

Because the temperatures have been warmer during this last snowfall, the accumulated snow has a higher water content, making it heavier and more taxing on one's heart to move.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – While many around the country might be shocked at heavy snowfall in April, it’s pretty much business as usual for those in Fargo-Moorhead.

Also commonplace is the act of clearing that snow from your property.

But health experts at Essentia say it can be far more dangerous than you might think.

“We have to be really careful and cognizant of what we do and when we do it, especially those people that don’t do a lot of exercising year-round,” said Ryan Telford, the STEMI program specialist at Essentia.

The term they give it is “heart attack snow”.

“I shoveled yesterday, and it’s heavy. There’s a lot of water content in it,” said Telford.

“It’s like a stressful exercise you’re doing. Whether you’re weightlifting, biking, exercising – it’s the same idea.”

They say they know people around here are used to pushing through discomfort, but there are certain warning signs you should never discredit.

“Big thing is chest discomfort of some kind,” said Telford. “Whether that’s achiness, heaviness, fullness, burning – that’s the big one.”

And even if you think you’re in prime physical shape – and especially if you’re not – don’t be afraid to take your time with such a taxing task.

“A good thing to do is just do, like, maybe 10 minutes of shoveling, go in, sit down, take a rest, and then go back out,” said Telford.

The weather itself can also pose a threat to shovelers, as chilly temperatures cause arteries to narrow, limiting blood flow to the heart.