Hopefully, we have all passed safely through the holiday season. On behalf of the Violet Township Fire Department, I would once again like to thank the community and the Pickerington Local School District for their continued support of the Holiday Toy Drive.
As Jan. 1 retreats into the distance, the new year and our resolutions become a reality. Often, these resolutions include a desire to improve our fitness and health. This can mean a new gym membership, dusting off home exercise equipment or taking on the challenge of a new diet.
Motivation is strong in the early weeks, but can fade during the cold days of winter. There are no easy answers, nor are there many sure-fire, quick-fix remedies. Determination, dedication and perseverance are required traits. Any time we embark on a new fitness trek, whether it be exercise or diet, it is wise to first consult with a physician.
We should never take our health for granted. We should learn to listen to our bodies. Quite often, there are subtle hints and symptoms that may tip us off to a larger or looming health problem. An annual physical is always a good idea, and often can discover these hidden existing conditions or help prevent new ones.
In the cold of winter, even simple tasks can become more difficult and hazardous due to weather conditions. Our level of fitness and current health conditions can contribute to the degree of difficulty associated with these tasks. Below is an article taken from the American Heart Association, dated March 23, 2015. It discusses the heart hazards of shoveling snow.
Stay warm and be safe!
The American Heart Association says that for most people, shoveling snow may not lead to any health problems. However, the association warns that the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling may increase for some, stating that the combination of colder temperatures and physical exertion increases the workload on the heart.
People who are outdoors in cold weather should avoid sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow. Even walking through heavy, wet snow or snow drifts can strain a person’s heart.
To help make snow removal safer, the American Heart Association has compiled a list of practical tips.
Give yourself a break. Take frequent rest breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
Don’t eat a heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.
Use a small shovel or consider a snow thrower. The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to lift smaller amounts more times than to lug a few huge shovelfuls of snow. When possible, simply push the snow.
Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives – maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.
Consult a doctor. If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise on a regular basis or are middle-aged or older, meet with your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall.
Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers, forming a protective insulation. Wear a hat because much of your body’s heat can be lost through your head.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense – the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often, people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, or the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get life-saving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive – up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room. If you can’t access EMS, have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you’re the one having symptoms, don’t drive yourself unless you have absolutely no other option.
