UMass Memorial Medical Center’s Dr. John Broach is warning people to be careful when shoveling the wet, heavy snow from Tuesday’s storm off their driveways and sidewalks.

Broach said people may not realize shoveling can be a strenuous exercise. He said dehydration and overexertion are two of the common things people typically suffer from.

Broach recommends staying hydrated with electrolyte rich drinks and taking several breaks to cool down. Feeling thirsty, sweating a lot and overheating are signs of dehydration, and if you notice a rise in your heart rate, chest pains or shortness of breath, stop working immediately and get help.

“It’s easy to underestimate the amount of cardiovascular strain that shoveling any snow, but certainly this wet, heavy snow can place on you,” Broach said. “It’s not uncommon for us at all to see patients who have suffered a heart attack during the process of clearing snow.”

Broach is also encouraging people to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and people with medical problems.