Snow Shoveling and a Diabetes Drug: Two Surprising Heart Health Stories This Winter

Winter is beautiful, but it can be surprisingly dangerous for your heart. As snow blankets the ground and temperatures drop, two important health stories are emerging that every adult should know about: the hidden risks of snow removal and an exciting new drug that might protect your cardiovascular system in unexpected ways.

Why Snow Shoveling Can Be as Risky as a Stress Test

If you've been planning to tackle your driveway after the next snowfall, it's time to reconsider. According to the American Heart Association, research shows that the physical exertion of shoveling snow may lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest—especially for people who aren't used to regular exercise.

The danger is real and specific. Dr. Shelley Stanko, an American Heart Association volunteer and Interim Market Chief Medical Officer at CHI Saint Joseph Health, explains that "the strain of heavy snow shoveling may be as demanding on the heart than taking a treadmill stress test." When you combine this exertion with exposure to extremely cold weather, "you're looking at a perfect storm for a heart-related event."

Here's why shoveling is so taxing on your cardiovascular system:

• Arm work is harder on your heart than leg work. Snow shoveling primarily uses your arms, which demands more from your heart than lower-body exercise.
• You unconsciously hold your breath. When straining to lift heavy loads of snow, people often hold their breath without realizing it, causing significant spikes in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Cold air constricts your blood vessels. Exposure to cold causes blood vessels throughout your body to narrow, raising blood pressure and simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart.

The result? Your heart is forced to work much harder while simultaneously operating under conditions that diminish its ability to function at its best.

Who Should Avoid Shoveling Entirely

If you have any of the following risk factors, Dr. Stanko strongly advises against shoveling snow: a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, current or former smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke. People who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty should also skip the shovel entirely.

"We often see events in people who are usually sedentary, they work at a computer all day or get little or no exercise," Dr. Stanko notes. "Then once or twice a year they go out and try to shovel the driveway after a heavy snowfall and that unexpected exertion can unfortunately lead to tragedy."

Safer Alternatives and Smart Strategies

If you must shovel, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk:

• Start gradually and pace yourself throughout the task
• Cover your mouth and nose, and wear layered clothing, a hat, and gloves
• Push or sweep the snow rather than lifting and throwing it—this involves less exertion
• Be extra cautious when the wind is blowing, as it makes the temperature feel even colder and increases cold's effects on your body
• Use an automated snow blower instead of shoveling if possible; research shows it doesn't raise your heart rate quite as high

Most importantly, if you experience chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness, or heart palpitations while shoveling, stop immediately and call 911 if symptoms don't subside shortly after you stop.

A Surprising New Hope for Heart Disease Prevention

While winter poses acute risks, researchers are working on long-term solutions. An experimental drug called IC7Fc, originally developed to help control type 2 diabetes, is showing surprising promise in protecting against heart disease.

An international research team led by Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, working with Monash University and other partners, published preclinical findings in Science Advances showing that IC7Fc significantly reduced blood fats (triglycerides) and cholesterol in mice prone to developing heart disease. The drug also helped limit the buildup of fatty plaques inside blood vessels while easing inflammation—both central to heart attacks and strokes.

What makes this finding particularly exciting is that the cardiovascular benefits appeared even without weight loss. In the study, lean mice genetically prone to high cholesterol and artery disease showed improvement in their heart health markers, even though the drug didn't affect their body weight or food intake. This suggests the drug's heart-protective effects could extend to people who are not overweight.

"Heart disease remains the world's biggest killer, driven largely by atherosclerosis," says Professor Mark Febbraio, who led the work for the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. "Even with common treatments that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, many people are still at risk, showing there's more work to do."

While these findings are promising, it's important to note that this research is still in preclinical stages. Human trials will be necessary before IC7Fc becomes available as a treatment.

The Bottom Line

This winter, protect your heart by being smart about snow removal and staying informed about emerging treatments. If you're at risk for heart disease, delegate the shoveling to someone else. And keep an eye on developments like IC7Fc—the future of heart disease prevention may be closer than you think.