People all over the world use saunas to increase heart rate, improve the clarity and suppleness of skin, relieve stress and improve blood flow. The effect of saunas on blood pressure is not clear-cut, but medical experts caution people with high blood pressure to consult a doctor before using a sauna. Precautions are advisable when using a sauna, including the avoidance of drug or alcohol use.
Saunas
Relaxing in wet or dry heat has been a worldwide practice throughout history. Hot springs, sweat baths and saunas have been used in Rome, Russia, Japan and Finland, from which the term sauna is derived. The high heat of a sauna--up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Harvard Medical School--can warm your skin to above 103 degrees. This prompts your body to exude about a pint of sweat in a short time. Sauna enthusiasts say sauna use promotes healthy skin, increases your heart rate and blood circulation, relieves stress, helps control weight and assists detoxification.
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is a number composed of two measurements. The systolic reading is the top number, while the diastolic reading is the bottom number. Someone in good health has a systolic reading of 120 or below and a diastolic reading of 80 or below, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some people develop high blood pressure, or hypertension, with consistent readings of 140 or more systolic and 90 or more diastolic. This condition can lead to physical and cognitive impairments. Using a sauna may affect blood pressure unpredictably in hypertensive people, according to the "Canadian Medical Association Journal."
Effects
Proponents of saunas report a tendency for heart rate to go up and blood pressure to go down during a sauna session. These changes occur because a sauna heats the skin to a temperature close to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The heart works harder, pumping blood to the surface to reinstate temperature equilibrium. This shunts blood flow away from the internal organs, thereby causing a drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure lasts until you exit the sauna and your body returns to a normal temperature.
Dangers
Most medical experts agree that a sauna reduces blood pressure temporarily, a condition that returns to normal afterward. They warn that the blood pressure of people with hypertension may quickly rebound, sometimes dramatically, according to the "Canadian Medical Association Journal."
Precautions
Most healthy adults can use a sauna without problems. The transient reduction of blood pressure is not harmful in people without chronic high blood pressure. People with hypertension should talk to their doctor before using a sauna. When using a sauna, you should avoid consuming alcohol or taking unprescribed drugs before or during a session. You should never use a sauna alone, since the high heat can cause drowsiness or fainting in some people. The maximum time for using a sauna is 20 minutes, according to the Harvard Medical School.
