APPLETON, Wis.— The first significant snowfall of the year can be a mesmerizing sight to see for many.
For others, the hard work that follows outweighs that joy.
Local health experts are reminding you to keep safe when bringing out the shovel.
“Particularly with the fact that shoveling snow is really an exertive thing, sometimes we don't think of it, but it can get heavy and does put a significant strain," says Dr. Angela Wright, emergency department physician at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay.
What may seem like a simple task can lead to significant trauma to your heart, especially with heavy wet snow.
"The demand on the heart tissue is higher and if your core arteries that surround your heart are unable to meet that demand that can cause a lot of significant stress on the heart or even a heart attack,” says
nurse practitioner Dylan Valentine with Bellin Health.
Although emergency rooms see more injuries relating to slips and falls during the winter season, health experts urge you to pay attention to how your body reacts to a task like snow shoveling.
"Bending at the back or the waist instead of at the knees— that can put strain on the lower back. We do see a lot of lower back injuries and pain that can be difficult to manage and annoying for the individual to experience," says Valentine.
Health experts advise to seek emergency aid, but if the pain is tolerable, consider over the counter pain relievers and also seek options such as physical therapy.
If you do need medical attention, do not hesitate to seek care. Concerns of overwhelming emergency rooms during the pandemic should not deter you.
"The pandemic has been a challenge, but at the moment we’re doing ok, so at this point, we don’t want to turn anyone away that may need our help,” says Dr. Wright.