30 Minutes Of Sauna Therapy Each Day Can Be Good For Your Heart

Regular sauna use in done by nearly one third of all adults in Finland, and are extremely popular in the USA. Some find that there is nothing more invigorating yet relaxing at the same time for your body as a sauna. Sauna use can relax muscles, relieve tension, and even mentally recharge your brain.

A recent study reveals that sauna may do more than all that relaxing, they are also highly beneficial for heart health. It would seem that taking a sauna may have the same impact on the heart and blood vessels as moderate exercise does, this however does not suggest that it should be used in replacement of exercise and its benefits. This new study has been published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Most people with heart disease will normally avoid sauna use for fear of it aggravating their condition. As it turns out taking a regular sauna may actually help the heart. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland suggest that taking a dry sauna can have positive effects on heart rate, vascular health, blood pressure and in particularly in those with a low ejection fraction.

This is not the first study to suggest sauna benefits on heart health. Studies conducted in the past show that regular use may benefit individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, help ejection fraction in patients with heart failure, and was found to be generally safe and beneficial for individuals with mild heart failure, but not for those with a recent heart attack, unstable angina, or low resting blood pressure.

These same researchers have found in previous studies that individuals who make use of regular saunas have lower rates of dementia, hypertension, and cardiac death as compared to individuals who infrequently make use of them, these were observational only. Meaning that the researchers could only find associations not actual cause and effect results.

In this study however the researchers recruited 102 participants and monitored them prior to entry, then monitored each participant after every 30 minute session in the sauna. FIndings show that time spent in the sauna decreased participants systolic blood pressure from 137 to 130 mmHg, diastolic pressure decreased from 82 to 75 mmHg. Systolic drop was temporary, diastolic pressure remained decreased for up to 20 minutes after exiting the sauna. Vascular compliance was also observed to be improved.

Participants heart rates increased gradually during sessions to an average of 120 beats per minute. Average heart rate is between 60-100 beats per minute, 120 is what would be expected during moderate exercise. NO this does not mean that sauna use is a healthy as exercise as the muscles and full body aren’t getting the same benefits as a true exercise, it is only suggesting that the circulatory responses are similar, and that taking saunas can help to keep the heart pumping and healthy.

Dry saunas are generally safe for healthy people and cardiac patients with stable coronary heart disease. Sauna therapy can be used for the goal of lowering blood pressure in 5 minute sessions only, at a lower temperature of less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. It also suggested to start off very slowly at shorter times using low heats and gradually build. It is also noteworthy that unique properties of Finnish saunas may not be applicable to hot tubs and steam baths. Finnish saunas are wood lined rooms that are heated by a stove top with stones, the air inside is very dry and hot.

Individuals who are pregnant, or with blood pressure issues, respiratory or heart conditions should speak with their doctor first before using a sauna. It is always best to be safe and ask questions first.