Cleveland PR Newswire

Press releases from Ohio companies

MTD Joins Forces with the AHA to Promote Heart Health

              Reduce Your Risk for a Heart Attack This Winter

    CLEVELAND, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- What do sipping cocoa, snuggling
under blankets and heart attacks all have in common? They are all more
common during the cold winter months.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than
1,200 Americans die annually from a heart attack or similar cardiac event
during or after a big snowstorm, and shoveling is often the trigger. To
help create awareness, work to lower that number, and highlight other ways
to stay safe during winter, MTD Products Inc, a global manufacturer of
outdoor power equipment, and the American Heart Association have partnered
to promote heart health and winter safety during the snow shoveling season.

    "The American Heart Association has demonstrated a commitment to
helping people build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and
stroke. MTD is committed to promoting winter safety, including safe snow
removal," said Jessica Gardner, marketing communications manager for MTD.
"We are proud to work with the American Heart Association's Start!
initiative to help educate people on the impact shoveling heavy snow can
have on your heart and other ways to stay safe and healthy during cold
winter months."

    Research shows that cardiovascular events like sudden cardiac arrest
often increase during cold months. Activities that require sudden exertion
like heavy snow shoveling, especially if performed by habitually sedentary
individuals with underlying heart disease, can pose unique health risks and
may trigger cardiac events.

    "For inactive people with heart disease, the combination of cold air,
strenuous lifting and excessive cardiac demands can disproportionately
increase blood pressure and heart rate, which increases the risk of a heart
attack," said Barry Franklin, Ph.D., spokesperson for the American Heart
Association's Start! initiative and Director, Cardiac Rehab and Exercise
Laboratories at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.

    The following are some tips and facts about winter snow removal:



    --  Don't try to lift too much snow at one time.
    --  Dress appropriately and remember to wear a breathing mask or scarf to
        protect your face and neck. Also, always wear a hat; you can lose a lot
        of heat if your head is exposed.
    --  Just walking through heavy, wet snow can strain your heart. Be sure to
        pace yourself. You know your stamina best.
    --  Make sure no one is in the path of snow discharging from the snow
        thrower chute, particularly if your driveway is gravel.

    --  Never clear clogs in the chute with your hands - always use an approved
        chute clearing device.
    To help reduce the demands on your heart this winter, consider a snow
thrower to help with snow removal, especially if you are at risk for heart
disease. For a guide to selecting the right thrower for your region and
driveway, visit here. For more information on safe winter snow removal,
visit http://www.snowthrowersafety.com.

    To learn more about heart health, visit the American Heart
Association's Start! initiative at http://www.startwalkingnow.org.

    About MTD Products Inc

    MTD Products Inc is a leading global manufacturer of outdoor power
equipment headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio. MTD brands include Yard-Man®,
White Outdoor®, Yard Machines® and Bolens®. Products can be found at home
improvement stores, mass retailers, hardware stores, independent dealers
and farm supply stores. For more information, visit http://www.mtdproducts.com.