Can Sauna Sweats Lower Your High Blood Pressure?

Can Sauna Sweats Lower Your High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the amount of force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It may become higher than normal if you don’t control it. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can create numerous health problems. Some of them are heart stroke, vision problems, heart failure and kidney disease.

If an individual suffers from high blood pressure, that means that the walls of the arteries are constantly receiving an excessive amount of pressure. One of the risk factors may be age. As you get older, you are more prone to have a high blood pressure.

Another factor may be genes. If someone in your family history suffers from hypertension, than the chances of you having it are higher.

The research published by the American Medical Association shows the relationship between blood pressure and an outdoor temperature. Therefore, if it’s warm outside, than the blood pressure gets lower, and vice versa.

In addition to that, obese people are more prone to develop hypertension in comparison to people of an average weight.

Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can raise the risk of high blood pressure. If this fact combines with smoking and drinking, than the heart will pump blood even faster.
Mental stress and too salty or fatty foods can play big role in developing hypertension.

Despite these risk factors, there are several ways to prevent it. One of the most beneficial ones may be sauna.

What Benefits Does Sauna Offer?

First and foremost, sauna provides us a deep sweat. It yields tension relief, helps with muscle soreness and it can relax your mind. A persistent heat can make our bodies to function and look better.

One of the biggest advantages is stress relief. Sauna provides an isolated, warm and quiet place. You won’t have any distractions. The heat will help you to relax both mind and body. It can improve blood flow and relax muscles. After your session is done, your endorphin level will be higher and stress level will be lower.

When you sit on a high temperature, your body’s temperature will raise. This can cause your blood vessels to dilate and the healing process to speed up. If you play sports, this method can help you with muscle soreness and tension. Additionally, bruises and cuts will heal faster.

By using sauna, your body will produce sweat that can help you with reducing levels of toxins. It will detoxify your body.

Furthermore, a deep sweat caused by high temperature can provide you a better skin. When the body starts sweating, dead skin cells are starting to replace themselves causing a healthier looking skin. The capillary circulation will be improved by cleansing the pores and rinsing bacteria out.

Since sauna is a quiet and intimate room, it’s a suitable place for relaxation and private conversation. Thus, you can bring a friend with you to catch up.

By using sauna regularly, we can improve the function of heart muscles, along with the regulatory system. Additionally, it can prevent cold or influenza. Your body will produce white blood cells faster when it’s exposed to the steam and heat. That way, your body can fight viruses and illnesses.

One more benefit is the relief of symptoms of sinus congestion caused by colds or allergies.

Sauna can help people with asthma problems by opening airways, loosing phlegm and reducing anxiety.

Researchers from Finland published their study that linked reduced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and sauna use. Individuals who used sauna on a daily basis had lower risk of developing these diseases.

Sauna bathing may help individuals with risk factors for diabetes and high cholesterol.

Health Risks And Precautions

People who overdo the sauna use or have certain health condition may experience several bad effects.

Before even starting, you should consult with a medical expert.

Risks:

• Due to excessive sweating, you might experience dehydration. People with kidney disease are at a higher risk.
• Higher temperatures can yield nausea and dizziness.
• You might experience burns if you touch the heater.
• It’s not recommended for persons who are trying to conceive a child.
• Fungal infections can spread easily.

Precautions:

• Avoid alcohol.
• Don’t spend more than 20 minutes in sauna.
• Drink water immediately after the session.
• If you’re ill, you should avoid sauna.

Types Of Saunas

Based on heat of the room, there are several types:

• Wood burning – low humidity, high temperature and dry heat which yield benefits for overall health; wood heats the sauna room
• Electrically heated – similar to the previous type; an electrical heater heats the room
• Far infrared sauna – special lamps use light waves to heat only the person’s body, not the entire room. Temperatures are lower, but the person sweats the same.
• Steam room – High humidity, moist heat

 

Sauna For High Blood Pressure

The study published by the American Journal of Hypertension shows that people who use sauna on a daily basis can reduce the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

During your stay in sauna, your body’s temperature rises and your blood vessels widen. If you repeat this process continuously, you can improve the function of your vessels. In addition, sauna can remove excessive fluid in your body throughout sweat.

However, this effect depends on a routine. People who used sauna 4-7 times per week had the lower risk of hypertension in comparison to those who used only once a week.

Since high blood pressure is a major factor in developing a heart disease, you will have the following benefit:  the reduction of the risk of death caused by a heart disease. This fact is shown in the same research.

If you combine sauna with the right diet, hot baths and right exercise regime, you can have even more advantages. However, if you switch from high temperature in sauna to cold water from a swimming pool or jacuzzi, you might do just the opposite and raise blood pressure.

By using sauna, you will prevent a damage of your kidneys, eyes, heart and arteries.

However, people usually wonder:

1. Can you go in a sauna with high blood pressure? - If you already have hypertension, by using sauna you may worsen your condition. You can experience temporary lowering of pressure. However, the moment you leave sauna, it can either return to normal or become even higher. Thus, you should consult with your doctor before using sauna.
2. Does sweating reduce salt levels in the body?- The amount of sodium in your sweat is around 500mg/lb. Therefore, if you lose 2lbs of sweat per hour, your sodium loss become huge. You should eat foods loaded with salt to replace the loss.

Because of the excessive sweat, it’s crucial to drink several glasses of water after the session ends. Recommended duration of sauna use is 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Sweating in saunas is often used as a therapy. To achieve a deep and gentle sweat, saunas have been used for centuries in that purpose. It’s due to its numerous benefits for mind and body.

In this case, it’s proven to be suitable therapy method for patients who suffer from hypertension. Additionally, sauna yields cardiovascular and overall health. Furthermore, it reinvigorates those who are worn out from a workout or long day at work and it helps you to relax and unwind.