Heavy Snowfall May Lead To Heart Attack On Men; Shovelling The Culprit?

A recent study indicates that snow shoveling has been associated with higher heart attack risk on men. The study also presents that there have been several men brought to hospitals for heart attack after a heavy snowfall.

According to a report, the study has been based on a data from 1981 to 2014 in Quebec. The data included 128,073 hospitalizations and 68,155 deaths from heart attack. The study focused on the hospital admission and deaths during the months of November to April.

The results provided that 62 percent that was hospitalized were men and the death rate also men was 57 percent. The researchers found that one-third pf the heart attack happened a day after a heavy snowfall. The study also indicated that the duration of the snowfall also mattered. It showed that men were likely to be hospitalized 8 percent and 12 percent death if the snowfall lasted for 24 hours.

Dr. Nathalie Auger of the University of Montreal Research Centre shares that shoveling snow had to be the main reason why men are at a higher risk of heart attack after a snowfall. She adds that men are more likely to shovel than women. Shoveling needs more cardiovascular movements and the heart rate goes up to 75% while doing so.

It is reported that the repetitive act of shoveling may lead to heart attack. The arms are mostly used rather than the legs and this leads to a higher blood pressure. Those shoveling also tend to exhale from the mouth and this leads to lack of oxygen in the heart.

Meanwhile, the study indicates too that there is no cause and effect to the relation of snowfall to a heart attack on men. However, the theory that snowfall can increase heart attack risk on men remains plausible. It is safe to note that men need to be careful when shoveling after a heavy snowfall.