It’s not even officially winter yet, Sunday’s blizzard conditions gave the area a nice preview and health care officials are already warning about a thing called “heart attack snow.” “Heart attack snow” is the wet, heavy stuff that parts of Illinois received earlier this week says Carrie Boelens with OSF Healthcare System. She’s offered some tips when it comes to shoveling snow. “Give yourself a break,” Boelens says. “Take frequent breaks as much as possible to avoid over-stressing your heart. Are you feeling exhausted or exerted? Light-headed? Try not to eat a big meal before or after shoveling snow. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart as well too.” Other tips include using a smaller shovel – lighter loads put less stress on you. Always let someone know that you’ll be shoveling snow, and carry a cell phone on you. She also advises to try to push the snow instead of throwing the snow. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – it can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath can occur with or without chest discomfort. Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
