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High blood pressure describes what happens when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. This can cause your arteries to constrict and narrow – a process that can hike your risk of heart disease. Fortunately, a person can lower their blood pressure with a few tweaks in their diet and lifestyle including this relaxing activity.
Soaking in a bathtub or basking in a sauna can be a pleasant way to relax. Done on a regular basis, both habits may also help prevent heart attacks and strokes, according to several studies.
“The high temperatures in a warm tub or sauna cause your blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure,” says Dr Adolph Hutter, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
He added: “The volume of blood your heart pumps will also rise, especially in a hot tub.
“That’s a result of the pressure of the water on the body, which increases the heart’s workload.”
According to a 2008 study involving mice, warm water immersion activates “heat shock proteins”.
This group of molecules protects cells from heat, cold and low blood sugar.
A by-product of this protective process blocks the inflammatory response, improves insulin function and protects against glucose intolerance caused by obesity.
Potentially, this could benefit people with type 2 diabetes, who may also have reduced gene expression in heat shock protein HSP72.
Research published in a 2015 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine evaluated the cardiovascular effects of sauna bathing on over 2,300 middle-aged men. Apparent health benefits included “fewer deaths from heart attacks, strokes, various heart-related conditions, and other causes.”
Compared to those who only participated once per week, those who did so two or three times a week experienced a 23 percent lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease episodes or cardiovascular disease.
Those who participated four to seven times a week experienced a 48 percent lower risk of similar incidents.
Regarding the safety for those having a hot bath or sauna and hypertension risk, a study published in the National Library of Health investigated.
The study involved 21 patients (18 men and 3 women aged 43–76 years) with stable, treated hypertension and 23 control subjects (14 men and 9 women aged 19–83 years) without hypertension.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline, during immersion in a hot tub at 40°C and for 10 minutes after immersion.
None of the subjects reported dizziness, chest pain or palpitations.
During immersion, systolic blood pressure fell in both groups
Both groups showed a substantial fall in blood pressure.
Numerous studies have shown that soaking in a hot bath or sauna can help to lower a person’s blood pressure.
This is a great system for those with heart conditions and even those who don’t.
It is important to first consult your doctor if you do have a heart condition because a hot bath will also raise the rate of your heartbeat.
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