LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Local doctors are warning about possible health concerns as people clear out snow and ice after a winter storm moved through the Louisville area.
Someone collapsed Sunday afternoon while shoveling snow in eastern Jefferson County. Firefighters said a neighbor saw it happened and started CPR.
Once crews arrived, the person was revived and taken to the hospital. Doctors said shoveling snow can place additional stress on a person's heart and possibly increase the risk of heart attack.
"The real problem is when it snows this heavy," said Dr. Abdullahi Oseni with Norton Healthcare. "You are forced to do it to be able to get out of your house or be able to function, so you'll be forced to typically increase your activity more than you typically would, and that could unmask your symptoms that have been there but you have not been noticing in the past."
According to the American Heart Association, shoveling snow is mostly arm work, which is more taxing and demanding on the heart than leg work. Exposure to cold air causes constriction of blood vessels throughout the body, which disproportionately raises blood pressure and simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries.
Cold can add additional stress.
Emergency management officials are reminding everyone to take precautions while working outside, take frequent breaks and look out for one another.
The signs that you're having a heart attack include chest pain, discomfort in one or both arms, shortness of breath and nausea.
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