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Every winter
people hurt themselves shoveling snow, ranging from minor aches
and pulled muscles to fatal heart attacks.
What people often
fail to realize is that shoveling is more than just a chore.
It puts a lot of stress on the body in a short period of time.
Shoveling causes a quick increase in the heart rate and blood
pressure. Those most at risk during shoveling are people
who have had a heart attack, people with a history of heart
disease, those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol
levels, smokers and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Tips for safer
shoveling:
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Use a smaller
shovel
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Make sure your
shovel isn't bent, tilting or otherwise damaged
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Take frequent
breaks, even if only for a couple of minutes
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Stop and go
inside if you become overheated
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Drink fluids
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Don't try to
fling snow long distances
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Stop any time
you feel pain
If you fear
you're unable to tackle this tiring task, look into spending a
few bucks and having a neighborhood kid shovel after a storm; or
having a contractor plow it when heavy snow falls. It's probably
money well spent.
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