Doctors: Give your heart a break when shoveling snow - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- As people across the Upper Midwest break out the shovels and snow blowers, doctors say it's time to give your heart a break.

Dr. David Warren at the Regions Hospital emergency department tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press they worry about patients who aren't accustomed to exercising and then try to lift a lot of heavy snow.

He recommends people loosen their muscles before starting, then taking things slowly.

If you start to feel dizzy, Warren says, take a break immediately. If you feel signs of a heart attack or heart condition -- such as squeezing chest pain that may radiate to the neck, shoulder, arm or jaw or cold sweats, nausea or vomiting -- take a break immediately and if the pain doesn't go away call 911.