APPLETON, WI (WTAQ- ThedaCare has found a convenient way to remind people of heart attack dangers when shoveling snow.
Magnets with signs of a heart attack were donated to local hardware stores by ThedaCare. The reminders placed on shovels and snow blowers for sale. With heavy amounts of snow, comes an increased risk of heart issues.
“We will see an increase of paitents that come in with chest pain that started when they were shoveling” said Dr. Cherian Varghese, Cardiologist with ThedaCare.
He says preventing heart attacks comes from taking care of your body before tackling the snow.
“Prepare for shoveling large amounts of snow by stretching and warming up before going out” he said. “It is also important to take frequent breaks while shoveling so you are not doing it all at once.
It is also important to stay hydrated.
Theda Care said the five signs of a heart attack are ; uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the middle of the chest that lasts for a few minutes or goes away and comes back; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, stomach, neck or back; shortness of breath with or without chest comfort; breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness; and women may have unexplained signs of fatigue, anxiety and weakness especially with exertion. Underneath the list of symptoms is a reminder to call 911 as soon as possible if anyone experiences any of the symptoms.
“Any kind of chest symptoms that seem to get worse when they are working and seems to get better when they are taking a break, that is a concerning pattern” Varghese said.
With the heavy snow the area has been dealing with comes other concerns as well.
“When you are talking about that much snow you can have injuries like sprains and strains and things like that.”
The magnets were donated to: Hardware By Design in Appleton; Sears Outlet in Appleton; NorthsideTrue Value Hardware in Appleton; Kitz & Pfeil True Value Hardware in Appleton, Menasha, Oshkosh and Berlin; Ace Hardware of Appleton and Wautoma; Carstens Ace Hardware in Appleton; Brick’s Hortonville Hardware; Lindner Ace in Little Chute; New London Building Supply; Johnson Hardware & Appliance inShiocton; Tractor Supply Co. in Berlin; Ripon Ace Hardware; Drexel Building Supply in Berlin; Qualheim’s True Vale in Shawano; Tractor Supply Co. in Shawano; Seymour Lumber; Diedrick’s Hardware in Seymour; Wautoma Do It Best; Sears Hometown Store in Waupaca; Noffke Lumber in Waupaca; Torberg’s Lumber Waupaca; Mills Fleet Farm in Waupaca; and Farm & Home Hardware in Chilton. In addition, the Rural Health Initiative in Shawano, Waupaca and Outagamie counties will distribute them to farmers and ThedaCare At Work will provide them to employers.
