Winter storms in Reno, Nevada, can create health hazards that go well beyond slippery roads and cold temperatures. Snow, ice, freezing conditions, power outages, blocked roads, and extended periods indoors can place additional pressure on the heart, lungs, nervous system, and mental health. People who are older, live with heart or respiratory conditions, take daily medications, or spend significant time outdoors may face especially serious risks.

Reno's high-desert setting also means winter conditions can change quickly. A relatively mild day can give way to freezing temperatures, snow, strong winds, and icy surfaces. During a storm, residents may be tempted to clear snow immediately, travel for medications, use alternative heating equipment, or continue outdoor activities without realizing how quickly cold exposure can become dangerous. Checking local conditions before leaving home is particularly important. If you have a heart condition, check the Reno winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel or travel during severe weather.

Understanding the most important winter health risks can help Reno residents make safer decisions before, during, and after a storm. The goal is not simply to stay warm, but to recognize emergencies early and avoid preventable injuries and illnesses.

Heart Attack Risk From Snow Shoveling

Snow shoveling is often treated as an ordinary household chore, but it can become strenuous exercise in cold weather. Shoveling requires repeated lifting, bending, pushing, and twisting. Cold temperatures can also cause blood vessels to narrow, which increases the workload on the cardiovascular system. For people with coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular risk factors, the combination of intense physical exertion and cold exposure can increase the risk of a cardiac event.

The danger can be greater when snow is wet and heavy. A person may begin clearing a driveway or sidewalk quickly because they want to finish before the storm gets worse. This can produce a sudden spike in physical demand rather than a gradual increase in activity.

People with known heart disease should follow their healthcare professional's advice about strenuous activity in cold weather. Older adults and anyone who is normally sedentary should also avoid suddenly performing prolonged, heavy snow-clearing work.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Possible symptoms include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest; pain that spreads to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen; shortness of breath; unusual sweating; nausea; dizziness; or unexplained weakness. Symptoms can sometimes be less obvious, particularly in older adults and people with diabetes.

Do not assume chest discomfort is simply a result of cold air or physical exertion. If symptoms suggest a heart attack, stop the activity and seek emergency medical care. In Reno, a life-threatening emergency should be treated as an emergency even if snow or road conditions make travel difficult. Calling 911 allows emergency responders to determine the safest way to provide assistance.

Safer Snow Removal

If you are healthy enough to shovel, take frequent breaks and avoid trying to clear everything in one continuous effort. Dress in layers, use appropriate footwear with good traction, and avoid becoming soaked with sweat. Push snow when practical instead of lifting large amounts. A smaller shovel load can reduce strain on the back and cardiovascular system.

Neighbors can also help reduce risk. During major storms, checking on older residents or people with known medical conditions may prevent them from attempting difficult outdoor work alone.

Hypothermia: Symptoms and Emergency Response

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Although extremely cold conditions increase the risk, hypothermia can also develop when someone becomes wet from snow, rain, or perspiration and remains exposed to cold air for an extended period.

Early symptoms commonly include shivering, fatigue, poor coordination, and confusion. As hypothermia becomes more severe, a person may develop slurred speech, memory problems, unusual drowsiness, worsening confusion, or difficulty using their hands. Severe hypothermia can cause loss of consciousness and may become life-threatening.

One particularly dangerous feature of hypothermia is that the affected person may not recognize what is happening. Confusion can prevent someone from making sensible decisions, such as going indoors or changing wet clothing.

What to Do for Hypothermia

Move the person into a warm, sheltered environment as soon as it is safe. Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers or blankets. Focus on warming the center of the body, including the chest, neck, and head. If the person is awake and able to swallow safely, a warm non-alcoholic drink may help.

Do not give alcohol as a warming method. Alcohol can impair judgment and contribute to heat loss. Do not expose a severely chilled person to extreme direct heat, such as placing them directly against a very hot radiator or heating device.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency when symptoms are significant. A body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit requires immediate medical attention. If the person is unconscious or appears not to be breathing normally, call 911 and follow emergency-dispatch instructions.

Frostbite and How to Treat It Safely

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of body tissues. Fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, chin, and nose are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed and can lose heat rapidly.

Early frostbite may cause redness or pain, followed by numbness. More advanced frostbite can produce skin that looks white, grayish-yellow, or unusually pale. The affected skin may feel firm, waxy, or hard. Because numb tissue may not hurt, a person can underestimate the seriousness of the injury.

Immediate Frostbite Care

Get out of the cold and seek medical care. If immediate professional treatment is not available, gently move to a warm environment and protect the affected area from further exposure.

Do not rub, massage, or vigorously manipulate frostbitten skin. Do not rub the area with snow. These actions can cause additional tissue damage. Avoid direct heat from a heating pad, fireplace, stove, radiator, or heat lamp because numb skin can burn without the person realizing it.