April 10, 2024

Unlocking Heart Health: The Benefits of Regular Infrared Sauna Use 

Unlocking Heart Health: The Benefits of Regular Infrared Sauna Use 

Unlocking Heart Health: The Benefits of Regular Infrared Sauna Use

Recent studies, led by cell biologist and public health educator Dr. Rhonda Patrick, have shed light on the cardiovascular benefits associated with regular sauna use. Following are findings from various studies that highlight the positive impact of frequent infrared sauna sessions on heart health and overall well-being.

The Heart-Healthy Statistics

Recurring sauna sessions (4-7 times per week) were linked to impressive reductions in the following:

  • 50% lower risk of fatal heart disease
  • 60% lower risk of sudden cardiac death
  • 51% lower risk of stroke
  • 46% lower risk of hypertension

Immediate Benefits of Sauna Sessions

Even a single sauna session has been proven to yield immediate benefits, including:

  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Improved heart rate adaptability
  • Increased flexibility and elasticity of blood vessels

These changes mirror similar effects observed during moderate-intensity physical exercise.

Understanding the Mechanisms

Infrared sauna sessions mimic the effects of physical exercise:

  • Blood flow redirects 50-70%, moving from the core to the skin for sweating.
  • Heart rate rises to approximately 150 beats per minute, similar to moderate exercise.
  • Cardiac output increases by 60-70%, giving your heart a beneficial workout.

Key Studies Supporting Sauna Benefits

Several pivotal studies from Finland further emphasize the connection between frequent sauna use and a reduction in cardiovascular disease:

  • The 2015 Reduced All-Cause Mortality Study, which included 2,315 middle-aged men, found that a higher frequency of sauna sessions is linked to a reduced risk of diverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The 2018 Stroke Study, spanning 15 years with 1,500 participants, revealed a 61% lower risk of stroke for those saunaing 4 to 7 times per week.
  • The 2018 Cardio Fitness Study, following 2,266 men over 26 years, indicated that sauna use is comparable to exercise in maintaining cardiovascular health, with frequent users experiencing 40% fewer cardiovascular events.
  • The 2017 Hypertension Study, tracking 1,600 men for 24 years, found a nearly 50% reduction in the risk of high blood pressure for those saunaing 4 to 7 times a week.

Additional Studies

Beyond cardiovascular benefits, various studies explore the positive impact of sauna use on issues such as blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic heart failure.

Conclusion

The body of research on sauna use and cardiovascular health provides compelling evidence for its positive impact. Regular sauna sessions offer a holistic approach to supporting heart health and overall well-being.

For more information, visit https://bwlcgb.com/infrared-sauna-therapy/. 

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REFERENCES

1 Sunlighten Blog

2 https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/why-we-should-exercise-and-why-we-dont

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4 Ketelhut S, Ketelhut RG. The blood pressure and heart rate during sauna bath correspond to cardiac responses during submaximal dynamic exercise. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Jun;44:218-222. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.002. Epub 2019 May 2. PMID: 31126559. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31126559/

5 Repeated sauna therapy improves myocardial perfusion in patients with chronically occluded coronary artery-related ischemia – PubMed (nih.gov) Sobajima M, Nozawa T, Ihori H, Shida T, Ohori T, Suzuki T, Matsuki A, Yasumura S, Inoue H. Repeated sauna therapy improves myocardial perfusion in patients with chronically occluded coronary artery-related ischemia. Int J Cardiol. 2013 Jul 15;167(1):237-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.12.064. Epub 2012 Jan 13.

6 Kihara T, Miyata M, Fukudome T, Ikeda Y, Shinsato T, Kubozono T, Fujita S, Kuwahata S, Hamasaki S, Torii H, Lee S, Toda H, Tei C. Waon therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. J Cardiol. 2009 Apr;53(2):214-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.11.005. Epub 2009 Jan 18. PMID: 19304125.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19304125/

7 Sobajima M, Nozawa T, Fukui Y, Ihori H, Ohori T, Fujii N, Inoue H. Waon therapy improves quality of life as well as cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. Int Heart J. 2015;56(2):203-8. doi: 10.1536/ihj.14-266. Epub 2015 Feb 27. PMID: 25740582. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25740582

Filed Under: Infrared Sauna