As hunting season approaches, many hunters are preparing their gear, scouting out the perfect spot, and practicing at the shooting range for months. Hunting is like any sport, requiring training, focus, and being mentally and physically fit to win your trophy. But when a hunter is not in shape, it can have a devasting end.
Studies have shown that the strenuous nature of hunting, i.e., dragging a heavy animal through the snow or brush, the epinephrine response or excitement of seeing your game and the environmental stresses of the cold and altitude can put a real strain on your heart muscles and put a hunter at risk for a heart attack.
What can you do to protect your heart?
Know the Signs of Chest Pain:
• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain at the center of the chest for more than two minutes
• Chest pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms or back
• Dizziness or Fainting
• Sweating or Nausea
• Shortness of Breath
Pre-season
Get a checkup from your doctor, especially if you have known high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Once you get the ok from your provider, start an aerobic exercise program that keeps your heart rate between 65 and 85 percent of your calculated maximum heart rate. This can increase the capacity of the heart to pump the blood and oxygen needed for the increase stresses that can be experienced during hunting. Do this exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week to help reduce the chance of dangerous increases in your heart rate.
Other things to help reduce the chances of injury and stay safe:
• Don’t hunt alone
• Carry a cell phone
• Know what hospital provides 24-hour service and is closest to you. Inform family and friends
• so they too know where to go
• Use a game cart to pack out meat
• Get plenty of sleep the night before. Lack of sleep can stress your heart
• Watch your alcohol intake the night before, it can put more stress on your heart
• Always carry an uncoated aspirin to chew and swallow if chest pain occurs. It will thin your blood
• If you have known heart disease and your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin tablets, keep those with you and take them as directed for chest pain
• Sit down and rest if you experience any chest pain and if your chest pain lasts more than 2 minutes, seek emergency assistance
For more information about heart health or to schedule a checkup, contact Pulse Heart Institute.
Inland Northwest 509-755-5500
Puget Sound Region 253-572-7320