MAYWOOD, IL – Cardiologist Caroline Ball, MD, is available this week to discuss the ways shoveling snow can be a dangerous stress on the cardiovascular system, and share tips on how to shovel safely.

"Shoveling snow is a great form of outdoor exercise during the cold, snowy months, but it is a significant burden on the cardiovascular system, particularly for patients who are not exercising regularly," Ball said. Because the cold causes arteries to constrict, people need to pay attention to warning signals like tightness in the chest or shortness of breath that may mean it's time to seek medical attention.

Built on a tradition of excellence and innovation, Loyola Medicine's comprehensive heart and vascular program brings together specialists from all aspects of cardiology and vascular care. Our specialists treat a wide variety of cardiac and vascular conditions and diseases while offering nationally acclaimed comprehensive heart and vascular services.

 

###

About Loyola Medicine

Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC)Gottlieb Memorial HospitalMacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Centerthe John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Established in 1961, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park that includes the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric CareLoyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Centeracute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, childcare center and fitness center. MacNeal Hospital is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program. 

For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedInFacebookInstagram or X (formerly known as Twitter). 

About Trinity Health 

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2023, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.5 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedInFacebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).