Around the state, cities have accumulated up to 7 inches or more of snow since Sunday.

If you are headed out to shovel a path out of your home, whether that be today or tomorrow, the American Heart Association encourages people to protect their hearts while shoveling. Shovelers should seek immediate treatment if they experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack, the AHA says.

Research shows that many people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow.

“Shoveling snow can be a very vigorous activity, and you’re basically doing it in a freezer,” says Dr. William Gill, a cardiologist who is president of the American Heart Association board of directors in Indianapolis. “Those conditions can very quickly lead to stress on the heart.”

Here’s how to stay safe while shoveling and how to identify the signs of a heart attack.

Kentucky snowfall: Live updates on Louisville winter storm warning Monday

To help make snow removal safer, the American Heart Association suggests:

• Give yourself a break. Take frequent rest breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow thrower. The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to lift smaller amounts more times, than to lug a few huge shovelfuls of snow. When possible, simply push the snow.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.
• Consult a doctor. If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise on a regular basis or are middle aged or older, meet with your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall.
• Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers forming a protective insulation. Wear a hat because much of your body’s heat can be lost through your head.

The American Heart Association urges people to learn the signs of a heart attack so they can recognize the signs and to call 9-1-1 immediately if they experience any of those signs.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense like they are shown as in movies and tv shows. This is what the American Heart Association calls a “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening.

In reality, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room. If you can’t access EMS, have someone drive you to the hospital right away.

“I can’t stress enough the urgency of getting proper treatment for a heart attack,” Dr. Gill says. “Don’t die of doubt. If you’re experiencing symptoms or something just doesn’t feel right, go get it checked out. Hospitals offer life-saving treatment.”

Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman or Bluesky @katiewiseman

A Florida man was arrested after police say he fired a shot at a pair of officers in Kentucky.

Tombe Juma-Kose Thomas, 35, was arrested on Dec. 28, according to Louisville Police, Fox 35 reported. He is facing two counts of attempted murder and is being held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on a $250,000 bond with a preliminary court hearing in Kentucky set for Tuesday.

Louisville Police responded to 1117 Reutinlinger Avenue, where Thomas was staying at an Airbnb with his girlfriend while visiting family.

ILLEGAL MIGRANT CHARGED WITH MOLESTING FLORIDA GIRL, 5, SAYS FAMILY ACCUSED HIM OVER IMMIGRATION STATUS

Thomas had barricaded himself inside a bathroom on the suspicion that there was an intruder in the house, and he accused his girlfriend of setting him up.

When officers arrived, police said they knocked on the window of the bathroom and announced their presence.

Then, Thomas fired a single shot toward the window where the two officers were. The bullet passed just over the officers’ heads and nobody was hurt.

Thomas eventually exited the house and was placed under arrest.

Volusia County Schools in Florida confirmed Thomas is employed by the district. (iStock)

He later said he had “fired a warning shot” through the window.

Volusia County Schools in Florida confirmed Thomas is employed by the district as an instructor for the Positive Alternative to School Suspension program at Atlantic High School, according to Fox 35. He previously worked as an Exceptional Student Education instructor at Deltona High School. He had also been a football coach at both schools.

FLORIDA MAN ATTACKED BY BEAR CUB AND BITTEN ON STOMACH WHILE DEFENDING DOG SAYS HE COULDN’T ‘WATCH HER DIE’

Thomas is being held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on a $250,000 bond. (iStock)

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“Additional details will need to be provided by law enforcement since it’s an active investigation,” the district said in a statement. “VCS has opened an internal professional standards investigation on the individual as well. Any further action will be determined by the findings of those investigations.”

Thomas is also a former fullback for Syracuse University.

The snow has slowed the Commonwealth to a crawl, but the transfer portal is still moving and grooving. The dead period ended, allowing players to hit the road for another round of visits. Kentucky got a big recruiting win over the weekend when Washington State DL David Gusta signed with the Wildcats. Now a few other chips are falling in different places.

Gavin Wimsatt started his career at Rutgers. After three seasons in Piscataway, the Owensboro native moved back to his Old Kentucky Home. Now he’ll finish his college career in Conference-USA.

Wimsatt revealed on Instagram that he will spend his final year in college at Jacksonville State. He’ll be suiting up for Charles Kelly, the former Auburn defensive coordinator who was hired this offseason to replace Rich Rodriguez. I must say, the quarterback can pull off the cowboy hat.

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EDGE Target Commits to Auburn

Kentucky lost its top three EDGE players to the transfer portal this offseason. They’ve added a pair of players, Kameron Olds and Sam Greene, but they could use one more who could provide some pass-rush pop. Chris Murray was the first big fish on the list. He visited Kentucky and three other schools prior to the dead period. After the break, he made a few more visits before the All-C-USA performer from Sam Houston State selected Auburn.

The Cats missed on Murray, but it won’t be considered a miss if they can reel in Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace. The FCS All-American was the Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year after tallying 17.0 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. He visited Kentucky on Friday. USC, Mississippi State, and Wisconsin are also in the hunt for the immediate impact EDGE. If Kentucky can seal the deal, this might be their biggest win of the entire transfer portal cycle.

Former Kentucky WR to the Big Ten

Chauncey Magwood flashed during his brief stint at Kentucky. The class of 2021 signee appeared in all but one game over his two seasons in Lexington. The mid-three-star prospect from Georgia was a physical wide receiver who could play inside or outside, catching 8 passes for 121 yards, and a touchdown.

Without much playing time on the horizon, Magwood hit the transfer portal and landed at UCF. The Gus Malzahn era was regrettable for all parties involved, including Magwood. He caught just 9 passes for 142 yards in two seasons.

Rather than lingering in Orlando limbo, Magoowd hit the transfer portal again. West Lafayette is going to look a lot different than Central Florida. He’s transferring to Purdue to help Barry Odom rebuild the dilapidated Boilermakers program.