AMERICANS are under warning as two feet of “heart attack snow” ravages the East Coast.

The dense, wet snow can be twice as difficult to shovel – and pose a major health risk.

A man shovels snow from his car during a blizzard.
Shoveling snow can be a health risk – especially the kind of snow pummeling the NortheastCredit: Getty
 

A snowplow clears snow from the Brooklyn Bridge during a winter storm.
Snowfall totals topped 2 feet in some areas along the East CoastCredit: AFP
Dr. Alina Mitina, an emergency medicine specialist with Hackensack University Medical Center, warned that even going outside in the cold can be a risk.

The cold air constricts blood vessels, which can strain the heart and lead to a heart attack.

This, in combination with snow shoveling, can lead to serious heart health risks for people not used to rigorous exercise.

“Shoveling 15 inches of snow is extremely difficult, and it increases your risk of having a heart attack because you’re not used to this type of exercise,” Dr. Mitina said.

Because temperatures are hovering around freezing for the more than 40 million people under a blizzard watch, the snow will partially melt and pack together.

The wet, dense snow can be doubly difficult to shovel compared to lighter, powdery snow.

“Snow shoveling is very similar to being at ‘peak exercise’ on a stress test, so it puts a lot of strain on your heart,” said cardiologist Dr. Luke Laffin.

Over 200,000 people were treated for injuries related to snow shoveling between 1996 and 2006, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported.

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Around 1,600 deaths in the same time period were linked to snow shoveling.

To mitigate potential stress, Dr. Laffin recommends pushing snow forward instead of lifting and throwing it.

This puts less strain on the body and heart.

Dr. Mitina shared the heart attack signs to look out for while shoveling.

The doctor said to watch out for “chest pain or chest pressure, especially in the middle of your chest or on the left side of your chest.”

She continued: “Any shortness of breath that’s abnormal for you, especially when you exercise, any arm pain, jaw pain, maybe upper back pain, or even feeling like you’re dizzy and you want to pass out.”

Dr. Mitina advised to take breaks often and decompress after shoveling to slow your heart rate.

“When you go back inside the house, make sure it’s warm, take off all your wet clothes, and then maybe do some light exercises at the end of shoveling to warm down, even stretching or lightly walking, and then taking a seat and making sure your heart rate goes down at a very slow rate,” she said.

Snow shoveling tips

Mitigate health challenges while shoveling with these tips.

Push snow forward instead of lifting and throwing it
Shovel in short 2 to 5 minute increments
Take breaks often
Monitor symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness and dizziness
After shoveling, do light exercises to make sure heart rate decreases steadily
Remove all wet clothing after shoveling
When in doubt, ask a neighbor to help

A person holding a red and white umbrella walks along the snow-covered Brooklyn Bridge during a winter storm.
Take frequent breaks while snow shoveling to prevent heart attacksCredit: AFP
 

A man skis through the snow-covered streets of Brooklyn during a blizzard.
The wet, dense snow can pose an increased risk for shovelingCredit: Getty