Shovel carefully: Avoid sprains and strains

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The snow Michiana is getting is wet, heavy snow. Just a scoop of the packed snow can weigh about 15 pounds. That makes shoveling the snow a little more strenuous.

How much does that shoveling affect your body?

"Typically an average heart rate is around 60-100 so if people are getting any chest pain or with any activity comes some normal shortness of breath but if it seems to be more than normal then that's a concern,” said Dr. David Amrhein, Family Medicine Physician.

ABC57’s Emily Pritchard tested her pulse before and after shoveling.

Before her lowest resting pulse rate was 91.

After shoveling for several minutes, her heart rate jumped to 151.

Your heart isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when shoveling.

“We've had some people come in with back strains, nerve compression and things like that. So people got to really make sure that they're bending appropriately and they stretch before hand,” said Dr. Amrhein.

Don't forget if you're grabbing the shovel, make sure if you're bending at the waist to bend your knees. That will keep you from straining something.