(WENY) -- With the winter season comes a shakeup to your routine that could present risks to your health.

Throughout the region, temperatures are dropping and snow has started falling, which means it's time for winter chores. Of course this includes snow shoveling, which can be dangerous for the medically compromised.

Snow shoveling can be done safely if certain precautions are taken seriously. Guthrie family medicine physician Dr. Gregory Stonier, highlighted several key issues that can impact people clearing their sidewalks and driveways. These include but aren't limited to back pain, frostbite, and cardiac events.

"If you have a personal history of heart issues or problems, please be extra careful if there's any concerns about this. Check with your doctor, and Your Health Care provider before shoveling," remarked Stonier, "Listen to your body. If something feels wrong or abnormal, stop, take a break and see how you're feeling. And if there's any sort of emergency like chest pain, call 911."

Throwing snow off to the side as opposed to over-the-shoulder can also prevent unnecessary strain. Wet snow has a high moisture content, making it much heavier and more physically taxing to remove.

Properly layering is recommended, as well as wearing more layers than less, as shedding a coat or pair of snow pants is much easier than bundling up after you've begun the outdoor chores.

It's important to stay hydrated when going out into cold weather for extended periods of time, and packing emergency supplies into your car for longer trips. A good indicator on stopping your activity or taking a break, is when you're out of breath or feeling chest discomfort.