Doctors warn of dangers of digging out

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - There are bound to be many sore muscles felt throughout northeast Indiana in the days following heavy snowfall Tuesday night.

The hope is that all who spent time shoveling did so slowly and without injury.

Dr. Tom Gutwein, medical director for Parkview’s emergency department warned of consequences more severe than soreness that can result from the cold weather chore.

Patients suffering back injuries and even heart attacks are common in hospitals after large snow events, especially those involving such dense, moist snow, Gutwein said.

“Shoveling snow is something that not most of us do every day so they’re not used to that type of exertion.  It’s pretty common to see people that come in even with two to three days after they shovel the snow to have some chest pain, back achiness,” he said.  “They overdo it.  They don’t realize how much work it’s going to be and how much effort it’s going to take to get this job done.”

At least one person was admitted into Parkview’s Randalia campus Wednesday morning who suffered a heart attack while shoveling.