SAUNA AND HEALTH
SAUNA AND ... HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
Going to the sauna regularly trains your vascular muscles, improves circulation and lowers your blood pressure as blood vessels open.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil (expert in health and wellness, www.drweil.com), a sauna bath helps the body remove unwanted materials.
EFFECT OF SAUNA ON BLOOD PRESSURE.
What does sauna do for your heart?
That’s what Dr. Lawrence Wilson (best known for the book Sauna Therapy) has this to say, “Your blood pressure usually stays the same or goes down a bit in the sauna. Frequent sauna use helps lower blood pressure by improving the elasticity of the arteries, better removal of waste products from the kidneys and reduces excessive nervous system activity.”
Several studies (published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure) show positive results for cardiovascular diseases; including against endothelial inflammation in blood vessels, heart failure and arteriosclerosis.
On livestrong.com we read that in the sauna the heart rate increases and the blood pressure can go down, this is because the heat in the sauna raises the skin temperature.
As a result, the heart starts working harder to get it pumping faster to the skin, therefore less blood goes to the internal organs and thus blood pressure goes down.
When you leave the sauna and your body returns to its normal body temperature, your blood pressure returns to its normal status.
PAY ATTENTION IN THE SAUNA.
People with high blood pressure should be careful when cooling down, as the sudden cold causes your blood vessels to constrict (in some cases they may even close) and therefore your blood pressure will rise.
Therefore, do not jump immediately into the cold plunge pool, rather cool down with a lukewarm shower and leave enough time between sauna sessions.
People with low blood pressure need to be a little careful while warming up. This is because the heat in the sauna dilates the blood vessels and thus lowers the blood pressure.
Some tips: do not stay too long on the highest bench in the sauna, as that is where it is hottest.
Rather choose the lower bench and limit your time in the sauna.
Sitting in the Jacuzzi for too long can also cause dizziness, so a good five minutes in the hot tub is enough.
Source: www.drweil.com, Sauna Therapy (book by Dr. Lawrence Wilson), Journal of Cardiac Failure, www.livestrong.com.
