Is it safe to shovel snow? Experts urge adults over 45 to be cautious when taking on winter chore. Here's why

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

Environment Canada's most recent winter weather warnings have several provinces and territories bracing for snow squalls, blizzards, extreme cold, heavy winds and rain. While Canadians prepare to take on the ice and snow, experts are urging people to practice caution when reaching for their shovels.

In an interview with USA Today, Bethany Barone Gibbs, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor at West Virginia University, said people with heart conditions are more likely to experience a cardiac event when shovelling snow. People with balance issues or musculoskeletal conditions are also at an increased risk of injury due to a slip and fall.

Gibbs, who volunteers with the American Heart Association, said it's best to ask for assistance from someone in good health to help them clear snow. If help isn't available, Gibbs suggested shovelling a little at a time, taking plenty of breaks and dressing appropriately for the weather.

While Gibbs would not provide a specific age when shovelling snow becomes risky, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association told USA Today that people 45 who are at an increased risk should be cautious when taking on the winter chore. This includes anyone with known or suspected heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol and people who smoke and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Keep reading to learn more about how shovelling snow can impact your heart including the signs and symptoms of a heart attack to look out for.

Snowfall linked to spike in injuries— from slip and falls to more serious emergencies

Every year, thousands of Canadians are hospitalized for injuries sustained while shovelling. Researchers have also found that the physical strain of removing snow can trigger serious and fatal health incidents like heart attacks, in addition to more common ailments like back strains and "slip and fall" injuries.

Additionally, a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows a link between heavy snowstorms and heart attacks that either result in death or hospitalization. Between 1981 and 2014, researchers in Quebec found that 65,000 people died from heart attacks and 128,000 were hospitalized during or after heavy snowfalls.

Experts advise people to follow certain steps when it comes to shovelling snow and to seek help when you need it.

Can shovelling snow cause a heart attack?

Although the act of shovelling snow isn't necessarily bad for your health, a combination of factors can increase your risk of heart attack.

"With snow shovelling, you go from nothing to everything in a matter of seconds and that challenges your cardiovascular system much more than if you do aerobic exercise, for example, walking or going to the gym," said Dr. Adrian Baranchuk, a cardiologist with the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, in a previous interview with Yahoo Canada.

The overexertion of shovelling, especially if you're not physically fit and used to exercise, combined with cold temperatures, which increase your blood pressure, can put a strain on your heart.

Who's at risk of heart attack while shovelling snow?

People with a history of heart disease and those who are over the age of 55 are at an increased risk of heart attacks while shovelling snow.

"In our research, we found if you have a family history of early cardiovascular disease, your risk of presenting a snow shovelling heart attack event increases four times," Baranchuk explained.

Research also shows that men suffer more heart attacks than women during or after shovelling.

To prevent health-related costs, refrain from shovelling snow, ask for help, or hire a younger neighbour to help with snow removal.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

The next time you pick up a shovel, make sure to play it safe and watch out for any signs that your heart may be in distress. People experiencing a heart attack may experience:

• Chest pain

• Pressure in the chest that comes and goes

• Tight feeling in the chest

• Shortness of breath

• Pain radiating toward your neck and arm

Although the symptoms listed above are the most common, there are other, lesser-known symptoms of heart attack you should never ignore — especially if you're a woman. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely than men to experience heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain.

Other symptoms of heart attack can include:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

• Stomach pain

• Cold sweats

• Nausea or vomiting

• Numb or pinching feeling in the arm

• Neck, jaw or upper back pain

• Heartburn or indigestion

If you experience any of these symptoms, stop what you're doing and call 911 to seek medical attention immediately.

First two hours after heart attack are critical

According to Baranchuk, the first two hours after a heart attack are critical. However, many people delay getting help, which greatly affects the level of treatment doctors can provide.

"The impact in the short and long term, the consequences of that are dramatically associated with the time elapsed since the initiation of the symptoms to our ability to open the artery," he explains. "If the patient doesn’t call early enough, then all those minutes account for our inability to reinstitute the flow in the vessel and to keep the patient normalized."

Tips for how and when to shovel the snow safely

If you’re going to shovel snow, don’t do it all at once. Shovel one section of the driveway, take a break and go inside to warm up. Hydrate before going back outside.

Another tip? Don't hold your breath. The American Heart Association notes that since many people hold their breath while lifting and discarding snow, the heart experiences greater changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

It’s also recommended to stretch before getting started and to avoid shovelling on a full stomach. If possible, Baranchuk recommends shovelling snow in the afternoon or evening rather than in the early morning.

"That is a well-known time of the day where there is significant peak of heart attacks," he says.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.