Doctor offers tips following shoveling collapse in Boardman

Boardman police did CPR on a person who collapsed Monday after shoveling snow on Salinas Trail. The person was taken to the hospital in ventricular fibrillation (Vfib), a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder.

The person had been told not to shovel due to a heart condition. Dr. Benjamin Brocker, with Mercy Health, said that extreme cold can lead to serious injury, but there are ways to stay safe. An activity like shoveling increases your heart rate, and the cold strains your lungs.

“The cold actually narrows your blood vessels, and so it’s a pretty big strain on the heart in general,” Broker said.

Shoveling snow and other outdoor chores might be unavoidable, but Brocker suggests a different approach. One that will make it easier.  

“I don’t recommend people shovel. I recommend they push with their shovel instead of lifting. Lifting is going to put such a strain on your body, and people try to do it without any good technique, and they’re just more prone to injury,” he said.

Brocker is also concerned about an increased risk of falls for anybody over the age of 65. He also recommends keeping fingers, toes and ears covered, places that don’t have a lot of fat or muscle to block the cold. Being exposed to extreme cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Watch out for feeling tired or dizzy.

“And then one of the biggest symptoms is you’re confused. If you’re confused, that’s a medical emergency. You need to call somebody, 911, and get to the hospital immediately because that’s the main symptom of hypothermia,” Brocker said.

Cold air is dry and irritating to the sinuses. That irritation can lead to a headache. Brocker says to keep hydrated and take frequent breaks when you’re out in the cold. Coming inside to get warm is always a good thing.

“The main takeaway is listen to your body. If you’re outside and you’re not feeling well, just come back in,” he said.

Brocker also recommends covering your mouth and nose to create a barrier to heat up the air before it goes into your body. That’s especially helpful for people with lung issues, but it can benefit everyone.