Michigan Blues: Take Care When Shoveling Snow
Keep heart health in mind and go slow as you remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.
With the first significant snowfall in metro Detroit making its appearance later in the season than usual, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and Blue Care Network (BCN) recommend residents keep heart health in mind and go slow when clearing snow from driveways and sidewalks throughout the winter. Shoveling snow can be hard work. Clearing snow for 15 minutes qualifies as a moderate physical daily activity recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General. However, for many sedentary, out-of-shape Americans, shoveling heavy, wet snow for 10 minutes is equivalent to running on a treadmill to exhaustion. Studies show major snow storms are often associated with increased emergency room visits for everything from muscle aches to heart attacks, …
