806 Health: That Snow Shoveling Can Be Dangerous

This has been a year already with a good amount of snow. I can't imagine we have seen the last of it for the season. So I guess I never really thought of shoveling being dangerous. I mean it makes sense. I really am not a fan of shoveling anyway...so if I can find a way to get someone else to do it. Sure I am a fan.

Of course like everyone else I will be dreaming of a white Christmas. Will we get one this year? I don't know but I do know that I won't be a fan of having to get out and shovel. Now reading that shoveling really causes a lot of injuries. Even deaths have been attributed to the activity.

Here is the deal. On average about 11,500 Americans end up in the emergency room every year due to shoveling of snow. What is even scarier is that on average there are also 100 deaths.

Deaths? While most of the injuries are non-life threatening such as soft tissue injuries, cuts and fractures. Those all can be treated and send you on your merry way.

It's the heart issues that make me not so fond of wanting to shovel. The heart attacks that can happen because of the tough physical activity and the cold weather. Those two are a dangerous combination and raises the risk of having a heart attack.

So if you are prone to having heart issues I would definitely look into maybe hiring a neighborhood kid to shovel your sidewalk....or just wait until the next day. You know how the snow is here in the Texas Panhandle. LOL May just want to wait until it melts away. That is safer for your health.