Sweating in the sauna as a heart patient
Are heart patients allowed to go to the sauna? This question is on the minds of many, not only those affected. After all, the pleasant warmth is quite good for your health. So people with heart conditions should also benefit from this pleasure, right? But is it really that simple? After all, the heat is quite stressful for the organism. We have investigated this question for you. One thing in advance. Even we don’t know the simple answer. However, we would like to explain everything you need to know about this topic.
Who should not go to the sauna?
To clarify the question of who certainly should not go to the sauna, we need to look at what actually happens in the heat. As you know, the air there gets quite hot. Usually, the thermometer climbs to temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees. The goal of all this is to heat up the temperature of the body. Through breathing, the hot air enters the lungs and the rest of the respiratory system. Overall, the temperature in the core of the body is expected to rise by up to two degrees. Because this is so, the body produces a lot of sweat. It also secretes stress hormones and dilates blood vessels.
That’s quite a few processes going on in the body. It is true that you are quite healthy. But it is also true that a sauna session is a great strain on the organism. That’s why heart patients have to be especially careful. After all, their bodies are severely weakened anyway. Who would like to enjoy the healthy sweating pleasure, should absolutely speak with its treating physician. Only he can assess whether the patient is up to the strain.
Patients with cardiac arrhythmias, irregular blood pressure and unstable angina pectoris should avoid the heat at all costs. In addition, people with a pronounced cardiac insufficiency must refrain from this pleasure.
What does science say?
Many researchers have already studied the benefits of sauna. Numerous studies have proven that the hot pleasure is both good for the respiratory system and healthy for the circulatory system. At the University of Innsbruck, scientists came to very interesting results in this context. In a long-term study, they were able to prove that people who sweat regularly had a 70 percent reduced risk of developing heart disease. In addition, sweating has a regulating effect on blood pressure. Patients with mild high blood pressure were even able to do without tablets after a few months. However, the results of the study only apply to largely healthy people.
Women also benefit
When people talk about heart disease, many think first of men. This reflex is not completely unfounded. The majority of heart patients are still male. Scientists do not know exactly why this is. In the past ten years, however, more and more women have become ill with heart disease. The triggering factors were the same as for male patients: stress, unhealthy lifestyle, alcohol, and nicotine. The good news for the ladies of creation. They, too, benefit from regular sauna sessions. Admittedly, the scientific studies at this point are not yet particularly pronounced. But there is reason to believe that the same mechanisms work in this case as in men.
Infrared saunas are an opportunity
While the air heats up in the sauna, infrared saunas make use of a different mechanism. They heat the body directly with rays. Because the hot air is not inhaled here, this is gentler on the body. So even people with heart disease can benefit from the healthy heat – after consulting their doctor. The health benefits are essentially the same as those of the conventional sauna. However, there is one limitation. The positive effects don’t last as long. So you need to get in front of the red lamp more often.
High blood pressure is a special case
People with high blood pressure are also among the cardiac patients. But different rules apply to them with regard to sauna bathing, because the health impairment is comparatively low. However, they too should not simply sweat away. Before going into the sauna bath, you should talk to your doctor. He or she will perform an ECG to rule out any damage to the heart. If he gives the go-ahead, however, nothing stands in the way of healthy sweating.
It is important, however, that patients with high blood pressure take it easy in the sauna bath. Don’t sit in the hottest cabin and don’t overdo it in terms of length. When it comes to cooling down, too, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t stand under the ice-cold shower. Lukewarm water is gentler and just as effective.
If you heed this advice, however, you can sauna to your heart’s content. You will even benefit from this pleasure because you will exercise your blood vessels. If you take to the wooden bench regularly, it is even possible that you will be able to avoid taking pills.
Conclusion for heart patients
So, a healthy sauna bath is quite possible for people with mild heart disease if some rules are followed. You may even be able to derive great benefit from healthy enjoyment in the heat.
Important note: The information provided is in no way a substitute for professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized physicians. The contents of Saunazeit Magazine cannot and must not be used to make independent diagnoses or start treatments.
