Stay safe, warm, and heart healthy in the cold and snow

After the snow falls, cleanup begins, and with it, can come concerns for heart health.

Most of the Capital Region experienced around 12 inches of snow over the weekend after the largest snowstorm the region has seen in over five years. On top of that, frigid air temperatures will be sticking around for at least another week.

So how do you keep yourself — and your heart — safe when clearing driveways and sidewalks of snow in single digit temps? Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

Before heading outside, make sure to dress in multiple layers. The layers will protect you from hypothermia and frostbite while providing insulation for the body. Doctors say our hearts work harder in the cold to keep our bodies at a healthy temperature.

Take your time when shoveling. Strenuous activity can add stress to the heart that people aren’t used to. Doctors recommend starting gradually and pacing yourself. It’s also a better idea to push and sweep the snow. Lifting and throwing the snow involves more exertion.

Cold air is also dry, so it’s important to remain hydrated. But avoid alcohol. While it may make you feel warm, doctors warn the sensation of warmth may cause you to underestimate how much strain your body is under in the cold.

It’s also imperative to pay attention to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, stop. The warning signs of a heart attack include chest discomfort or discomfort in other parts of the upper body; shortness of breath; breaking out in a cold sweat; and feeling unusually tired.

The signs of a heart attack may also differ in women. While women also report chest discomfort or pain, they may also experience anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and unusual tiredness and weakness.

Even if you’re not sure if it’s a heart attack, doctors urge you to get checked out and call 911.

You’re also encouraged to learn CPR. The American Heart Association said emergency response times can be slower in bad weather, and more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside the hospital each year.

And last but certainly not least, check on your family, friends, loved ones and neighbors, particularly the elderly as they may have a lowered ability to sense temperature and may not realize they’re suffering from hypothermia.