ERIE COUNTY, NY- 63-year old Elba Rodriguez is shoveling the wet heavy snow from the sidewalk in front of her house. She says she doesn't want to get sued if someone slips and falls.
"There isn't anybody else to do it. I have to do it. I do have to do it," said Rodriguez.
But protecting herself legal action could actually be putting her life at risk. The heavy wet snow that blanketed the area overnight is sometimes referred to as
"heart attack" snow. Doctors says shoveling heavy wet snow can sometimes trigger heart attacks in people with heart problems
"It's a major stress to your body, especially if you're not used to exercise to go out and shovel a driveway," said Dr. Cloud.
ECMC emergency room doctor Sam Cloud has a few tips that could save you life.
"I would say if you've got medical problems that might predispose you to cardio vascular disease, and you've got a neighbor, to a spouse, or a child that's willing to help you out, let them help you. If you don't and you feel compelled to shovel yourself, I would say listen to your body. Don't go beyond your physical limits take frequent breaks, you don't have to get the whole thing shoveled out in ten minutes," said Dr. Cloud.
Heart attack isn't the only risk. Shoveling the wrong way could lead to some serious back problems.
"We know from past research that repetitive bending and lifting, especially over time is one of the best ways to herniate a disk," said Cicchetti.
Dr. Michael Cicchetti of Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine says the proper shoveling technique can prevent any serious long term issues.
"What we would try to recommend to patients is to really hinge through the hips. Keep your spine in a neutral position so that you're not flexing over at the waist, you're really hinging through the hips, you're doing a squat technique instead of bending at the waist, and you're keeping your spine as neutral and straight as possible, and really doing it all through the hips, activating the glutials, activating the core," said Cicchetti.
Doctors also say if you develop chest pain, pressure, or feel nauseous, sweaty, or have shortness of breath, immediately call 9-11 because those could be signs of an impending heart attack.