Blood pressure is one of the biggest health threats in the western world, often called the “silent killer”, high blood pressure puts a strain on cardiovascular systems leading to higher risk of a heart attack or a stroke. It’s good news that an Australian study has concluded that heat therapy lowers blood pressure and improves blood vessel dilation (Experimental Physiology, June 2021). Earlier this year another study found that sauna use improves cardiovascular health in people with high stress jobs (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Jan. 27, 2021). Also it has been shown to help blood flow in people with stable coronary artery disease (Canadian Journal of Cardiology, March 2021). This builds on the famous JAMA study demonstrating the same thing.
The Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease (KIHD) study in Finland included a sample of 2,682 middle aged healthy Finnish men. These men were tracked for an average of 22 years and a clear correlation was found in improved cardiovascular health with the frequency of sauna use. The study came to the conclusion that in sauna blood volume to the periphery and skin increases and blood pressure is lowered in internal organs. There is evidence to suggest benefits to the endothelium. Sauna has been shown to help the nervous system which also explains blood pressure benefits. Next, since heart rate is increased during a sauna session it mimics the cardiovascular benefits of a workout session.
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