Winter storms used to mean nothing more than bundling up, grabbing a shovel, and getting the driveway cleared before the day started. It felt like just another routine chore, something we all grew up watching our parents do. But for my family, that “simple chore” became the moment everything changed.

Years ago, when my kids were still little, my husband went outside to shovel after a heavy snowfall. It was cold, the snow was wet and heavy, and like so many of us, he pushed himself to get it done quickly. He didn’t think twice about it. But not long after he started, he collapsed from a massive heart attack.

Our entire world shifted in an instant. What we imagined would be an ordinary winter morning turned into fear, panic, and a rush for help. Thankfully, he went on to live for another 20+ years but that moment is forever etched into our lives. It was a harsh reminder that shoveling snow isn’t just hard work; it can be incredibly dangerous, especially if you don’t know the strain it puts on your heart.

Cold temperatures narrow your blood vessels, raising blood pressure. Add in the sudden, intense effort of lifting, twisting, and pushing heavy snow, and your heart is pushed into overdrive. Many people who experience snow-related heart attacks have no idea they were even at risk.

I share this not to scare anyone, but because I wish someone had told us sooner. I wish we understood how the cold and exertion can collide in a way that puts tremendous stress on the body. I wish we knew how important it is to warm up, take breaks, and recognize that a driveway does not need to be cleared in one go. And I wish more people knew that sometimes the safest and strongest choice is asking for help.

If you’re heading out to shovel this winter, please take care of yourself. Dress warmly, move slowly, listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to stop if something feels off. No patch of cleared pavement is worth risking your health.

Snowfall may look peaceful, but beneath it can lie a hidden danger, one my family will never forget. If telling our story helps even one person take shoveling more seriously, then it’s worth sharing. Stay safe, go gently, and remember: you matter more than any snowstorm ever will.