The thrill of bagging a big buck or gobbler can bring a smile to any hunter's face. But the exertion of dragging that trophy back to camp could bring on a heart attack or stroke, according to the American Heart Association, celebrating a century of lifesaving service as the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all.
"Many people look to hunting as a way to relax and commune with nature and if you're healthy and in good physical shape, it can be a great way to get some outdoor exercise. However, for many hunters, the extra exertion, colder temperatures and even the excitement of the hunt can add up to a deadly combination," said Eric Lavonas, M.D., an American Heart Association volunteer and a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado. "Every year — and as we've already seen in headlines just this recently — some hunters experience heart attacks or strokes while in the woods. It's so important to recognize symptoms and to be able to take quick action."
Paul Murphy, an American Heart Association volunteer in Blacksburg, Virginia, knows just how lucky he is that he made it out of the woods alive on a hunting trip with his brother a few years ago. Paul landed a 10-point buck and together the brothers were able to drag the deer out of the forest and back to their truck. Shortly after, Paul noticed that he wasn't feeling well.
"I told my brother that I just didn't feel right," Murphy said. "I didn't have any chest pains, but I felt very sick."
While he continued to "just not feel right" and woke up nauseous and vomiting a few days later, he decided to see his doctor. A series of tests determined that Murphy had very recently experienced a heart attack – likely that's what was going on as he came out of the woods.
"Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Know all the signs, even those that aren't the norm, pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience any of these symptoms," Lavonas said.
Heart attack symptoms include:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. 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. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs. Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Use the letters in F.A.S.T to spot a stroke
- F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
- A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
- T = Time to call 911
- Other signs can include: numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; or a severe headache with no known cause
Murphy eventually had surgery to clear a 100% blockage in his heart, even though he hadn't previously experienced any warning symptoms.
"My doctor told me that I was one of the healthiest heart attack victims he'd ever seen and figured it must be genetic. I realized that many of my family members have had heart attacks, so my genetics could very well have been a factor," he said. "The work I exerted out on the hunt was basically more than my heart could keep up with."
"Heart attacks and strokes can happen even to people who seem in good physical shape," Lavonas said. "Listen to your body, take breaks if needed and have a plan in case of emergencies. Never hunt alone if possible and if cell phone service isn't available, use walkie-talkies to stay in touch with your hunting party. Recognizing the warnings signs and seeking immediate help are key."
According to Lavonas, developing an exercise regimen and getting a good health check-up prior to hunting season would be ideal. However, many hunters may not think ahead to prepare physically for the exertion hunting can have on the body – especially the heart. The colder temperatures of hunting season can cause blood vessels to constrict. Tracking prey may mean lots of walking or running, often in hilly terrain. The excitement of seeing and connecting with a target can release hormones that can increase blood pressure to cause the heart rate to spike. Then the labor of dragging an animal through the woods can leave even the most fit hunter breathless.
Getting a person to the hospital quickly during a heart attack or stroke is critical to ensure they get medication and treatment to save their life. If calling 9-1-1 isn't an option in the woods, it can also help to know in advance where the closest hospital is to the hunting area.
Lavonas also urges hunters to learn Hands-Only-CPR in case one of their hunting party suffers a cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack because the heart suddenly stops beating, often without any warning. Signs of a cardiac arrest are:
- Sudden loss of responsiveness – The person doesn't respond, even if you tap them hard on the shoulders or ask loudly if they're OK. The person doesn't move, speak, blink or otherwise react.
- No normal breathing – The person isn't breathing or is only gasping for air.
In the event of a cardiac arrest, seconds count. Call 9-1-1, begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency medical services arrive.
"Learning hands-only CPR is one of the best skills any hunter can have. The American Heart Association offers many local CPR classes, and even if you haven't taken a formal class, you can still save a life. It's two simple steps – call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest," Lavonas said. "While hunting can be a very strenuous activity, taking a few precautions and being prepared can make a difference in the safety of the experience."
"The most important thing I want people to take away from my story is that when you're out hunting or doing anything that causes more exertion than you normally use, pay attention to your body," Murphy said. "If this is not what your normal activity level is, be cautious and don't let yourself get caught up in the heat of the moment and push your body over its limit."
Learn more about heart attacks and strokes, along with preventive health tips at heart.org.
