Heart health is uber important in a time when the CDC reports that one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease in the U.S. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking all contribute to the risk of heart failure or heart attacks. So, while many of us are careful about our diets and incorporate exercise into our lives, having an alternative resource also helps. There are multiple tools we can use to naturally keep ourselves healthy, and one of those is saunas. We are learning more every year that the heart wants—infrared therapy.
The Importance of Circulation
When you imagine an infrared sauna, you probably picture a place of relaxation, recovery, and calm. It’s where you might go to unwind, right? Not to mention sweat, abundantly. What’s unique about infrared heat, particularly far infrared, is that it’s working wonders for your health even as you sit still. The intense temperature causes your circulation to quicken. This is a good thing. And the reason it happens is that your heart will start pumping faster at higher temps, equivalent to an aerobic workout or run.
In turn, your blood vessels dilate. This benefits your entire body because it means your organs are getting more oxygen as the blood transports it more efficiently. Having proper circulation is what prevents many health issues, including high blood pressure.
So, what is the role of infrared in blood pressure?
Infrared And Blood Pressure
Blood pressure monitoring is standard practice at most doctor visits, whether you’re there for a general exam or for something specific. Doctors and nurses remind us to keep our blood pressure at a certain level. Healthy is considered a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80, per the National Institute on Aging.
According to a recent Mayo Clinic report, “Regular sauna bathing may improve cardiovascular function via a lowering of systemic blood pressure.” And a 2017 study done in Finland concluded that “Compared with men who used a sauna only once a week, the risk of high blood pressure was 46 percent lower in those who use a sauna four to seven times a week.”
Infrared sauna bathing on a regular basis can therefore keep your blood pressure in check while simultaneously providing other health benefits. This includes overall cardiovascular health.
A Sauna Heart To Heart
The core of how our body functions are reliant on a strong, well-functioning heart. And it all ties together with our circulation and blood pressure. As you sit in an infrared sauna, your muscles untighten as they heat up, but your heart will kick into a higher gear.
Scientists have carefully tested infrared on people who have vascular and arterial issues. The results? “Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial function, resulting in an improvement in cardiac function” Endothelial dysfunction is a type of coronary artery disease.
And as Dr. Thomas shared in a News Medical Life Sciences article, infrared can increase nitric oxide, essential to circulation and ultimately, good heart health.
Again, it seems that the heart wants infrared therapy. It’s a great alternative to exercise, especially when the weather turns cold and your outdoor fitness options are limited. Ultimately, sauna bathing on a regular basis can help improve your overall cardio function, but should not be a replacement for regular exercise, stretching, and movement.
A word of caution: if you have a serious heart condition, always check with a medical advisor before using a sauna.
Health Mate has your optimal wellness in mind as it manufactures infrared saunas for every lifestyle. See our entire line and speak with a sauna specialist for details on how to get started using sauna therapy as a way to improve your heart and so much more. Call or text (877) 595-3221.