Heart issues spike two days after snow

If you’re out shoveling snow this winter, research from Harvard’s School of Public Health has uncovered something that’s a lot more inflammatory — at least for your circulatory system.

Tracking incidences of cardiovascular-related hospital admissions associated with a major snowfall, the Harvard researchers found that not the same day or even the day after, but TWO days after a snowfall, hospital admissions for heart issues jumped by 23 percent! That means if you’ve been out clearing the driveway or sidewalk, for several days after shoveling don’t dismiss pain around your shoulder blades, arm, chest, jaw, left arm or upper abdomen as simple muscle soreness.

Cold air makes the heart work harder; do a short warm-up inside by stretching and jumping. It’ll get muscles and heart ready for the exercise.

When shoveling deep snow, take it off by layers.

To help the snow move off the shovel more easily, spray the metal scoop with — we’re not kidding — nonstick cooking spray!

Remember to lift with your legs; keep your back straight.

If you start to feel pain or discomfort in your shoulders, neck or chest, stop immediately.

And remember, alcohol doesn’t really warm up your body. Mixing shoveling and alcohol makes you more likely to slip, fall and wrench your back. DON’T WEIGH DOWN YOUR COFFEE

In a study published in the journal Public Health, researchers found a full two-thirds of coffee drinkers add high-calorie, inflammation-triggering, heart-clogging substances like sugar, cream and flavored syrups to their franchised cup of java, adding 60 to 140 extra calories per drink.

By itself, coffee is loaded with disease-preventing compounds. In fact, the scientific report of the U.S. dietary guidelines advisory committee says: “Consistent evidence indicates that coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults. Moreover, moderate evidence shows a protective association between caffeine intake and risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

So, if black coffee isn’t for you, use nonfat milk; add cinnamon or nutmeg, but use the real deal, not anything with high fructose, corn-syrupy additives. Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.