Emergency room doctors at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital said combining the cold weather and physically demanding activities, like shoveling snow, can triple some people's chances of suffering a heart attack.
The number of patients complaining of chest pains is on the rise at Northside's emergency room. For some, fighting the fallen snow could result in a losing battle.
"So if you have any heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, if you had a heart attack or you have a heart condition, you need to consult your doctor before you go out," said Dr. Neal Tishman, of Northside Medical Center.
Doctors said if one suffers from a health condition they should try to stay indoors. But if they decide to tackle mother nature with a shovel, they need to prepare themselves before heading outside.
Dick Hartzell, the founder of Jump Stretch, stresses the importance of warming up and pacing yourself.
"Bend your knees a little bit," he said. "Reach down to one leg and stretch. Go down to the other leg. Get both legs straight, bend down and stretch; get the hamstrings loosened up."
He said there is a way to shovel snow and avoid backaches.
"Spread your feet and bend your knees a little bit. It's going to take pressure off of your lower back," he said. "If your legs are real straight, you have a lot of torque on the lower back."
Hartzell also recommended keeping your hands spread apart.
"It's better to lift small amounts frequently than to try to take a big heavy load of wet snow and throw it far or throw it over your shoulder," Tishman said.
Once you finish, it's best to stretch your muscles one more time to avoid any potential pain.
