As December begins, the U.S. has been blanketed with several inches of snow this week. However, while some may be enjoying a break from school or work, others are busy cleaning driveways, sidewalks, and porches.
As the cold winter approaches, more and more people will be reaching for their snow shovels (or snow blowers) to take on this difficult task. While shoveling snow may sound like a common chore to some, for those who don’t exercise regularly and/or have heart disease, it can be dangerous and, in some cases, fatal.
“Shoveling a little snow from the sidewalk may not seem difficult,” Dr. Barry Franklin, a former American Heart Association volunteer, said in a press release. “However, shoveling heavy snow can be as stressful or even more stressful on the heart than a treadmill stress test.”
According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, nearly 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snowplow-related accidents between 1990 and 2006, and more than 1,600 deaths were reported during the same period.
With winter just around the corner, here’s what you need to know to stay healthy while getting your yard work done.
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How old do you have to be to shovel snow?
Experts haven’t determined the exact age when it’s best to stop shoveling snow, and their recommendations vary widely.
Dr. John Osborne, a volunteer with the American Heart Association (AHA), said adults 65 and older should be “even more vigilant” about shoveling snow, and people with risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol should be extra cautious.
Osborne noted that a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that cold-related mortality was approximately twice the rate of heat-related cardiovascular events (65 to 35 percent), particularly among male patients over 65 years old.
Franklin, on the other hand, previously suggested a younger cutoff age. He said anyone over 45 should avoid the task. This suggestion is supported by a 2001 study that found that about 85% of adults over the age of 50 already have atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary artery disease.
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How does shoveling snow affect your heart?
Franklin said in an American Heart Association press release that there are five major stressors on the heart when shoveling snow:
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Shoveling snow primarily involves isometric or static force, resulting in muscle contraction without any movement in the surrounding joints.
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Shoveling snow requires arm work, which is more taxing on the heart than leg work.
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Most people unconsciously hold their breath due to physical tension when lifting heavy objects, which increases heart rate and blood pressure.
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Inactivity or frequent movement of the legs can cause blood to pool in the lower parts of the body, meaning it cannot return to the heart for oxygenation.
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Cold air constricts blood vessels, causing blood pressure to rise disproportionately and constricting the coronary arteries.
What are the common symptoms of a cardiac event?
According to the American Heart Association, common symptoms of a cardiac event such as a heart attack include chest pain or tightness, dizziness, palpitations and irregular heartbeats.
If you experience any of these symptoms while doing yard work this winter, stop. If symptoms do not stop immediately, call 911.
Richard Fouts was shoveling his driveway on December 2, 2025, as an early winter storm dumped several inches of wet snow in Louisville, Kentucky.
How to reduce injuries when shoveling snow
Perhaps the most obvious way to avoid injury during the winter is to have someone else do your yard work for you. However, if that’s not possible, according to an American Heart Association press release, Franklin recommends the following:
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Start gradually and pace yourself.
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Cover your mouth and nose and wear layers of clothing, including a hat and gloves.
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Push or plow snow instead of lifting and throwing it.
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Be careful when it’s windy. Wind makes temperatures feel cooler than they actually are and increases the effects of cold on the body.
Franklin also recommends using a snowblower instead of a shovel. Using a snowblower can increase your heart rate to about 120 beats per minute, he said, while shoveling has a heart rate of about 170 beats per minute.
How to reduce damage when blowing snow
Is there a snow blower? this U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission The following safety tips are recommended to avoid injury:
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If debris or wet snow becomes stuck in the machine, stop the machine completely before clearing it.
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Keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
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Do not allow the machine to operate in enclosed areas.
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Before starting the machine, add fuel to the tank outside. Do not add gasoline to a running or hot machine.
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If using an electric snow blower, pay attention to the location of the power cord.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the headline.
Greta Cross is a nationally featured reporter for USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her: gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When should you stop shoveling snow? This is what heart experts say.