This is the deadliest week of the year for heart attacks in Iowa, and one potential cause may be overexertion from shoveling snow.
Rob Gavora, chief administrative officer at MercyOne–Iowa Heart Center in Des Moines, says snow shoveling is a common winter chore that can become dangerous if people push themselves too hard.
“Yes, it definitely is a risk,” Gavora says. “Actually, even just being out in the cold in general can sometimes restrict blood flow. Unusual activities like that, indulging in certain types of foods or not exercising, anything that is different for folks, or getting them off their routines just increases your risk for having some type of event.”…