Shoveling and Heart Attacks

I have said that I did have a silent heart attack, meaning I have no clue when it happened, but I made jokes that it happened when I was shoveling snow and now maybe I wasn't joking. At the time DH worked away from home 2 weeks out and 2 in, and I would shovel enough to open the big gate so the guy who did our driveway could get in. I would shovel , stop and pant, then shovel some more eventually I would get enough shoveled to let the snow plow in
 

Shoveling snow....Or ANY fairly strenuous physical activity....can cause a heart attack, IF a person is not physically fit. A light 1 or 2 inches of snow isn't that hard to shovel, but if the depth is several inches, or feet, that chore can be more than most Seniors should attempt.

The best advice is to watch the weather forecasts, and if a strong storm is predicted, stock up on groceries, ahead of time, and wait it out. If you are lucky, their might be a couple of teenagers, nearby, willing to clear the snow.
Good advice, @Don M!:)
 

I have said that I did have a silent heart attack, meaning I have no clue when it happened, but I made jokes that it happened when I was shoveling snow and now maybe I wasn't joking. At the time DH worked away from home 2 weeks out and 2 in, and I would shovel enough to open the big gate so the guy who did our driveway could get in. I would shovel , stop and pant, then shovel some more eventually I would get enough shoveled to let the snow plow in
Please be careful, @mrstime. Like others have said, we can hire younger people to do this for us.
 
Remember when a business food distributor from Albany, NY came down to see us with his wife.
We live down a country road and she said "how does a plow get down the road". I said "what do you mean plow". Cracked me up when I figured out she meant "snow" plow!
 
Please be careful, @mrstime. Like others have said, we can hire younger people to do this for us.
Actually that was nearly 20 years ago, the young doctor told me my heart was stronger than his. I didn't believe that, but I do believe my heart is healthy now. I trusted what he said though that my heart was healthy. And I don't need to shovel snow anymore. Here where we live now, most of the snow is taken care of by the park owner. We live in a senior mobile home park, and love it.
 
Please be careful, @mrstime. Like others have said, we can hire younger people to do this for us.
DH retired about 18 years ago, so we moved to be closer to our son. We love living in a senior mobile home park. No more stairs except about 4 from the deck to the ground. Most of the snow removal is done by the park. DH has only a little to tend. We do hire younger people to mow the bit of lawn, and a woman to do our floors. So life is easy.
 
DH retired about 18 years ago, so we moved to be closer to our son. We love living in a senior mobile home park. No more stairs except about 4 from the deck to the ground. Most of the snow removal is done by the park. DH has only a little to tend. We do hire younger people to mow the bit of lawn, and a woman to do our floors. So life is easy.
That sounds like an ideal situation! :)
 
Since kids looking to shovel snow for money is part of the “days gone by” in my area, I do my own. A 20“ snow was the deepest in recent years, although in the 90’s we had a paralyzing storm that brought over 3’ of snow, and closed schools for almost a week.

A snow blower such as I have can be helpful unless the snow is dense, wet, or icy which quickly clogs the discharge chute. When forced to shovel deeper snow, I tend to break the task into installments, stopping when I can do longer feel my hands or feet. ❄️☃️
 
Since kids looking to shovel snow for money is part of the “days gone by” in my area, I do my own. A 20“ snow was the deepest in recent years, although in the 90’s we had a paralyzing storm that brought over 3’ of snow, and closed schools for almost a week.

A snow blower such as I have can be helpful unless the snow is dense, wet, or icy which quickly clogs the discharge chute. When forced to shovel deeper snow, I tend to break the task into installments, stopping when I can do longer feel my hands or feet. ❄️☃️
Very true. We can’t hire anyone.

That’s wise. Most men don’t like to do that. Our driveway is small and I can’t convince my husband to take a break.

Neighbourhood men seem to enjoy their snowblowers. It probably has helped keep the heart attack numbers down.
 
It is not a myth. Our friend Doug passed away after shoveling snow. He was only 51. He was closer with our friend Neil. Those two used to hang out together 2 or 3 times a week for 15 years. Our friend Neil lost his best friend.
 
It is not a myth. Our friend Doug passed away after shoveling snow. He was only 51. He was closer with our friend Neil. Those two used to hang out together 2 or 3 times a week for 15 years. Our friend Neil lost his best friend.
Sorry to hear that! :oops:
 


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