Shoveling snow could pose a dangerous health risk to a group, experts warn

As the country braces for a major winter storm this weekend, heart health experts have shared warnings about the physical strain that shoveling can take, especially for older adults.

A 2025 Mayo Clinic review found that just 10 minutes of intense snow shoveling can bring the heart to about 97% of its maximum rate. Exposure to cold air was also found to increase blood pressure and reduce coronary blood flow.

While there is no official age that is “too old” to shovel, some cardiologists recommend that people over 45 use extra caution to reduce their chances of suffering a cardiac event.

When to be cautious

“While there is no strict age limit, generally above 40 years or older, we tend to be a little more cautious, especially in people who are less active. [without] regular exercise,” Dr. Navjot Kaur Sobti, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York, previously told News Digital.

“Certainly, in people over 65 years of age (and who have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity or a sedentary lifestyle) we recommend being very, very careful when shoveling snow,” he advised.

Dr. John Osborne, MD, a practicing cardiologist in Texas and American Heart Association volunteer, shared similar guidance for people over 45, especially men over 65.

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“Unless you are in good shape and cardiovascular condition, it may be a good idea to ask someone for help,” he said in an interview with News Digital.

According to the cardiologist, the impact of snow removal is especially concerning for those with existing cardiovascular risks and a history of heart attack or stroke. “People with these characteristics and those who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty simply should not shovel snow under any conditions,” he said.

Osbourne said he often sees cardiac events in people who are typically sedentary and sit in front of a computer most of the day with little or no exercise.

“Then once or twice a year, they go out and try to shovel the driveway after a heavy snowfall, and that unexpected effort, unfortunately, can lead to tragedy.”

Hidden strain

The stress placed on the heart when shoveling snow is similar to, and may even exceed, that occurring during a cardiac stress test, Sobti said.

Cold temperatures can cause blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise, which, along with existing hypertension and the strain of shoveling snow, can significantly overload the heart, he warned.

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“It’s almost as if an at-risk person underwent a maximal stress test without supervision and without being actively monitored by a cardiologist,” Sobti told News Digital.

In addition to the strain of shoveling, frigid temperatures can also strain the heart. Recent research has shown that exposure to cold causes almost twice as many cardiovascular deaths as exposure to heat, including heat exhaustion.

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That study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last month, also found that people over 65 had higher rates of temperature-related deaths.

“So the risk is very, very high,” Sobti warned. “It’s actually that sudden increase in blood pressure coupled with the physical stress of shoveling snow.”

Tips for safer shoveling

The cardiologist said ideally you want someone else to help you shovel the snow, but if you decide to use a shovel, she recommends pacing yourself and using a “push or sweep” motion instead of heavy lifting.

To protect yourself from the cold, Sobti also recommends covering your mouth, nose and extremities, wearing a hat and gloves and taking extreme caution in windy conditions.

Using an automatic snow blower can still increase your heart rate: up to 120 beats per minute, compared to 170 when shoveling, the American Heart Association states on its website.

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It’s also important to watch for any symptoms of a possible heart problem when shoveling, Sobti emphasized.

If a person begins to experience warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or heart palpitations, they should not be ignored.

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Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, a person “could still be experiencing symptoms of a heart attack” and should call 911 for evaluation, Sobti said.

“Better safe than sorry.”