With all of the snow shovelling taking place throughout Portage la Prairie this week, there are some health concerns you should keep in mind. Vice President of Medical Services for Southern Health-Santé Sud Dr. Denis Fortier says back pain and cardiac concerns are commonly reported problems related to shovelling snow.

Dr. Denis Fortier

"We received quite a bit of snow in the Southern part of Manitoba, so I think everyone is going to be shovelling out. There are a lot of issues related to winter activities with the weather as it pertains to shovelling," Dr. Fortier explains. "The two things we see following heavy snowfall is people coming in with back pain injury and cardiac problems related to shovelling."

As far as back problems are concerned, Fortier says shovelling is one of the worst things you can do. He explains the angle of our bodies and the repeated shovelling motion exerts our backs in ways they weren't meant to be. Fortier says our muscles swell and are strained, and can cause back spasms for days afterwards.

To avoid hurting your back: Fortier advises trying to use your knees, and any type of equipment to keep your back straight. Fortier says large scoops help you keep your back straight as opposed to bending down and lifting with a shovel.

For those with cardiac concerns, he notes a healthy heart will only leave you tired and short of breath. But if you've got cardiac problems, or artery blockage you're not aware of, you can easily overwork your heart. 

"Let a machine do the work and not your body," he says.

Those whose hearts are healthy can use snow blowers, but that can be exhaustive work as well. He adds if it's not possible to get help or use a machine, deal with the snow a little bit at a time. Shovel for five or ten minutes and then take a break. Don't do it all at once.

If you have a known history of heart disease, or if you suspect you do, Fortier recommends you get someone else to do the work.