MTD Joins Forces with the AHA to Promote Heart Health

Reduce Your Risk for a Heart Attack This Winter

CLEVELAND, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- What do sipping cocoa, snuggling under
blankets and heart attacks all have in common? They are all more common during
the cold winter months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,200
Americans die annually from a heart attack or similar cardiac event during or
after a big snowstorm, and shoveling is often the trigger. To help create
awareness, work to lower that number, and highlight other ways to stay safe
during winter, MTD Products Inc, a global manufacturer of outdoor power
equipment, and the American Heart Association have partnered to promote heart
health and winter safety during the snow shoveling season.

"The American Heart Association has demonstrated a commitment to helping
people build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. MTD
is committed to promoting winter safety, including safe snow removal," said
Jessica Gardner, marketing communications manager for MTD. "We are proud to
work with the American Heart Association's Start! initiative to help educate
people on the impact shoveling heavy snow can have on your heart and other
ways to stay safe and healthy during cold winter months."

Research shows that cardiovascular events like sudden cardiac arrest often
increase during cold months. Activities that require sudden exertion like
heavy snow shoveling, especially if performed by habitually sedentary
individuals with underlying heart disease, can pose unique health risks and
may trigger cardiac events.

"For inactive people with heart disease, the combination of cold air,
strenuous lifting and excessive cardiac demands can disproportionately
increase blood pressure and heart rate, which increases the risk of a heart
attack," said Barry Franklin, Ph.D., spokesperson for the American Heart
Association's Start! initiative and Director, Cardiac Rehab and Exercise
Laboratories at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.

The following are some tips and facts about winter snow removal:

-- Don't try to lift too much snow at one time.
-- Dress appropriately and remember to wear a breathing mask or scarf to
protect your face and neck. Also, always wear a hat; you can lose a
lot
of heat if your head is exposed.
-- Just walking through heavy, wet snow can strain your heart. Be sure to
pace yourself. You know your stamina best.
-- Make sure no one is in the path of snow discharging from the snow
thrower chute, particularly if your driveway is gravel.

-- Never clear clogs in the chute with your hands - always use an
approved
chute clearing device.

To help reduce the demands on your heart this winter, consider a snow thrower
to help with snow removal, especially if you are at risk for heart disease.
For a guide to selecting the right thrower for your region and driveway, visit
here. For more information on safe winter snow removal, visit
www.snowthrowersafety.com.

To learn more about heart health, visit the American Heart Association's
Start! initiative at www.startwalkingnow.org.

About MTD Products Inc
MTD Products Inc is a leading global manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio. MTD brands include Yard-Man®, White
Outdoor®, Yard Machines® and Bolens®. Products can be found at home
improvement stores, mass retailers, hardware stores, independent dealers and
farm supply stores. For more information, visit www.mtdproducts.com.

SOURCE MTD Products Inc

Allison Peltz, Marcus Thomas LLC, +1-440-477-4065, apeltz@marcusthomasllc.com