By DoM Communications | Date published: February 4, 2026
Youssef Rahban Warns of Heart-Related Risks of Snow Shoveling in WCVB5 Interview
With a recent spike in snowfall, shoveling-related heart attacks are being reported throughout Central Massachusetts. In a recent interview with WCVB5, Youssef Rahban, MD, FACC, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, warned that a combination of heavy snow, cold temperatures, and sudden exertion can trigger health events in otherwise healthy adults, such as an ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) heart attack, sending patients to the emergency room.
“Usually people are less active in the winter," said Dr. Rahban. "Warm up before you start, use smaller shovel sizes to lighten the load, and take a lot of breaks."