Regular steam room and sauna sessions can have a terrific impact on the heart and cardiovascular system. Every day in Finland, saunas are used to unwind and reduce stress among other things. In fact, sauna bathing is a sort of national tradition here and far more normalized than in North America. Recent studies have shown that not only do saunas benefit relaxation, it also provides a sizeable boost to the cardiovascular health of people who indulge regularly.
For men and women, it appears that mortality rates related to cardiovascular disease and subsequent cardiovascular events are minimized by stepping into a sauna from time to time. It’s unknown why the infrared sauna strengthens the heart so well but there’s no questioning it does. Analyzing a group of adult sauna goers, the University of Eastern Finland produced a groundbreaking study that displayed some very interesting findings.
In the University of Eastern Finland sauna study, adults were divided up into three groups – those who went once a week, 2-3 times a week, and 4-7 times a week. All adults were monitored for fifteen years to see the long-term impact of saunas. The more frequently someone used a sauna, the less likely they were to die from cardiovascular disease. Those who took sauna baths 4-7 times a week had 4 times less deaths than the group who only went once a week. Also, adults who underwent sauna baths 45 minutes or longer in length were also found to have better outcomes related to cardiovascular conditioning.
Saunas work largely from what’s known as heat therapy, which is the application of heat across the various systems of the body. Infrared heat therapy can prove to be a powerful weapon at strengthening the heart and other systems. For example, let’s say someone is sick with a fever. Heat, in some cases, can help the body fight the infection better and overcome this illness. Unfortunately, in the United States and Canada, we don’t often see saunas as having these sort of benefits. They’re not as normalized in North America as they are overseas in Europe which is partly why these studies are so valuable. They justify a need for more saunas.
Instead of signing up at a gym, fitness center, or spa to enjoy a traditional Finnish-style dry sauna, some households have gotten their own infrared sauna installed at home. They’re smaller than what you’ll find in commercial spaces but the benefit of having a sauna at home is you can indulge in a session whenever you like and also, there’s no water source needed so it can be installed almost anywhere in the home – guest bedroom, basement, bathroom, etc. Saunas are extremely safe however it is important for anyone pregnant, with a heart condition, a history of heart attacks, or who are experiencing heart-related medical events, be cautious.
What many people using a sauna for the first time forget about is the importance of staying hydrated. Heat therapy like this can lower blood pressure, cause dizziness, and sometimes lead to fainting. It’s recommended to drink water before, during, and after, in order to ensure you’re hydrated and at less risk of experiencing the negative effects of heat.
To get your own sauna or steam room for your commercial facility or to install in your own home, contact Steam Sauna, North America’s leaders in steam rooms and sauna manufacturing and supplies.