News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland’s Friday snow means some will try to do some shoveling Saturday.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s Mariano Battaglia (Batal-eeya), said when someone exerts their body in snow conditions, the heart has to work harder. Battaglia said the added stress is concerning for those with pre-existing heart conditions and elderly individuals.
“I practiced in New Jersey where I saw a lot of heart attacks related to shoveling snow because of course, we would get, uhh, more extreme temperatures and also a lot more snow,” Battaglia said. “Nonetheless, a lot of the heart attacks or heart conditions we would get from shoveling snow.”
Battaglia said when exposed to extreme temperature, the body tries to keep the core warm. Battaglia said during this exertion of the body, the blood vessels constrict, leading to the heart attack. Battaglia said the best course of action is to stay warm and stay inside.
“The snow will eventually melt,” Battaglia said. “If for whatever reason they need to go outside, they have to be very careful to dress appropriately, but I would sincerely discourage doing that.”
Battaglia said if you aren’t part of essential services, to stay inside. Battaglia said the feeling of a heart attack is a rare and painful feeling, that hopefully many will never feel.
“For most people it’s not what they’re used to,” Battaglia said. “So it may be you know two to three times or even five times the stress on the heart that they’re used to, in that regard.”
