If you're a 20-something or a 30-something or a physically fit any-something, shoveling out your car and clearing snow from your walk shouldn't be a problem. But when you're of an AARP age, like me, shoveling can be a bit hazardous. In fact, it's a known trigger for heart attack, especially for folks with heart disease or those who don't usually get any exercise.

For my day job, I write about health for Harvard Health Publications. After clearing mountains of snow around my J.P. home twice in two weeks, I put together a post for our blog on protecting your heart while shoveling. You can read the full post here.

Here's the take-home message, with tips for safe shoveling:

• Warm up your muscles before starting.
• Shovel many light loads instead of fewer heavy ones.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t feel that you need to clear every speck of snow from your property.
• Head indoors right away if your chest starts hurting, you feel lightheaded or short of breath, your heart starts racing, or some other physical change makes you nervous. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you are out of shape or worried about your heart, hire a teenage neighbor. He or she could use the money, and probably the exercise.