answer:I don’t know if the cold causes strain, but certainly people have had heart attacks shoveling snow. The exhaustian from shoveling snow sneaks up on you, it is very easy to over do it. Also, in a cold climate the diet tends to be heavier. I see it in my husband and I, on cold days we want heavy warm food. Fruit and salads don’t sound very attractive when your cold. When I lived in Florida I craved fresh fruits and raw veggies; living north in the winter I eat all too much pizza and meat. For me living in warm weather also meant being outside and getting more exercise. Some people love winter sports, and I guess for them they get great exercise, but I think for most people the cold weather makes us want to curl under a blanket. I guess I am saying the climates can influence lifestyle, which influences heart health.