Sudden cardiac death after manual or automated snow removal

Am J Cardiol. 2003 Oct 1;92(7):833-5. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(03)00894-4.

Abstract

To examine the proximate circumstances of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the setting of major snowstorms, we reviewed records from the medical examiners' offices of 3 counties in the weeks before, during, and after 2 heavy snowfalls that occurred in the greater metropolitan Detroit area. Of those who experienced SCD due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (n = 271), 36 (33 men, 3 women) were engaged in snow removal, representing the largest number of exertion-related deaths after heavy snowfalls reported to date.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Reference Values
  • Sex Distribution
  • Snow*