Winter storms in Annapolis, Maryland, can create more than travel problems, school closures, power outages, and icy sidewalks. Severe winter weather can also create significant health risks, particularly when snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, prolonged power outages, and blocked roads occur at the same time. Residents may face everything from cold-related injuries and heart strain to carbon monoxide poisoning, medication shortages, worsening depression, and delays in emergency medical care.

Annapolis has a coastal location and a population that includes older adults, families with young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and residents who may depend on regular medications or medical equipment. During a major storm, ordinary tasks can become hazardous. Walking to a pharmacy may involve icy sidewalks, driving to a medical appointment may become unsafe, and clearing snow from a driveway can place unexpected stress on the cardiovascular system.

Understanding these risks before a storm arrives is one of the best ways to reduce preventable emergencies. Residents should monitor official weather information, make plans for medications and medical needs, keep heating equipment operating safely, and know which symptoms require immediate medical attention. If you have a heart condition, check the Annapolis winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel, because an active winter storm combined with cold temperatures and strenuous exertion can increase the risk of a serious cardiac event.

Heart Attack Risk From Snow Shoveling

One of the most underestimated winter health hazards is snow removal. Shoveling may look like a routine household chore, but heavy or wet snow can require intense physical effort. The combination of sudden exertion and cold temperatures places additional demands on the cardiovascular system. The American Heart Association warns that snow shoveling can increase the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest, particularly among people who are not accustomed to strenuous exercise or who already have cardiovascular risk factors.

Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, which can raise blood pressure. At the same time, lifting, pushing, twisting, and throwing snow can cause heart rate and blood pressure to rise rapidly. People may also unconsciously hold their breath while lifting a heavy shovel, further increasing pressure on the cardiovascular system. Wet, compacted snow can be especially demanding because it weighs considerably more than light powder.

The danger is greater for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a history of smoking, known heart disease, or a previous heart attack or stroke. Anyone who has been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid strenuous activity should not assume that snow shoveling is safe simply because the activity is performed for only a short time.

When possible, arrange for another person to clear snow. If a healthcare professional has specifically advised against strenuous exercise, do not make an exception for snow removal. For people who are otherwise able to shovel, pushing or sweeping snow is generally less strenuous than repeatedly lifting and throwing it. Take frequent breaks, dress in layers, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol before or during snow removal.

Most importantly, recognize cardiac warning signs. Chest pressure, squeezing, pain, unusual shortness of breath, unexplained weakness, dizziness, fainting, nausea, or a cold sweat can signal a heart attack. Symptoms may not always feel dramatic, particularly in older adults or people with diabetes. Stop the activity immediately and seek emergency medical assistance when symptoms suggest a cardiac emergency. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital.

Hypothermia: Recognizing When Cold Exposure Becomes an Emergency

Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It can develop after prolonged exposure to freezing conditions, but cold-related illness is not limited to temperatures far below freezing. Wet clothing, rain, sweat, wind, inadequate heating, and prolonged exposure can all contribute to dangerous heat loss.

During a winter storm, people may become hypothermic while clearing snow, walking outside, waiting for transportation, working outdoors, or dealing with a heating failure. Older adults and very young children can be particularly vulnerable because their bodies may not regulate temperature as effectively. People who are exhausted, inadequately clothed, or affected by alcohol may also be at increased risk.

Early hypothermia can cause intense or persistent shivering, fatigue, clumsiness, and a strong feeling of cold. As the condition progresses, symptoms can become much more serious. Confusion, memory problems, fumbling hands, slurred speech, unusual drowsiness, poor coordination, and changes in behavior are warning signs that require immediate attention. A dangerous misconception is that stopping shivering means someone is getting better. In severe hypothermia, the body's ability to generate heat can deteriorate and shivering may diminish or stop.