In this study, it included 1,621 middle-aged men from Finland for 22 years. Sauna use in Finland is quite common. Men that had normal blood pressure and used a sauna for at least one day a week were included in the study. Over the study period of over 20 years, approximately 16 percent of the participants developed high blood pressure, which is considered to be greater than 140/90 mmHg. When adjusting for variables such as BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, cardiorespiratory fitness and SES, the participants who just took one sauna a week were at the highest risk of developing high blood pressure. For those that used the sauna two to three times a week, their risk decreased by 24%, while those that took saunas four to seven times a week, saw a decrease by 46 percent as compared to their counterparts who only took a sauna once a week.
There are multiple reasons why saunas may be beneficial to health. Saunas can cause the body to warm up by 3.5 degrees causing vessels to dilate, which can decrease blood pressure and easing blood flow. Saunas can also increase heart rate from the typical resting heart rate of 60-100 beats per minutes to 100-150 beats per minute. This helps improve the pumping abilities of the heart. Another factor to why saunas may be beneficial for health include increasing sweat production. Sweat removes fluid from the body, thus decreasing blood pressure. Saunas can be quite relaxing and can help people manage their stress.
It is important to remember when looking at the results of this study that Finnish saunas get quite warm, ranging from 176-212 degrees. The authors noted that the benefits of sauna use may depend on the type of sauna used. It is important to note that sauna use is deemed relatively safe, but if someone has heart or blood pressure issues, they should be aware of a potential drop in blood pressure after use. The benefits found from this study may not necessarily apply to other groups of people such as women or those that have not used saunas before. It is always best to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new healthcare routine. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.
Source: http://time.com/4967605/sauna-lower-blood-pressure/
