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Lower blood pressure.
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Enhanced cardiac function.
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Decreased risk of heart-related disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 adults suffer from high blood pressure. That’s roughly 70 million people in the United States alone1.
Hypertension is not only extremely common, but highly dangerous. The condition drastically increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States1. Frequently referred to as the “silent killer”, hypertension often does not present with any noticeable signs or symptoms, leading it to go undetected for extended lengths of time. As a result, the disease may go untreated for years, during which time great damage is done to the heart and blood vessels. If uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to aneurysm, heart failure, weakened and narrowed blood vessels, metabolic syndrome, and stroke or heart attack2.
Once diagnosed, treatment regimens typically include medication in conjunction with a variety of lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise. Recent studies have also found that regular sauna usage not only significantly lowers blood pressure3, but increases cardiac output as well4. A 2016 study published in The Journal of Physiology reported that sauna therapy had “widespread and robust effects on vascular function”and reduced cardiovascular related disease and death, making it a “viable treatment option for improving cardiovascular health”5.
Heat therapy lowers blood pressure by employing a physiological process similar to that which takes place during aerobic activity. Core body temperature slowly rises, stimulating blood vessel dilation throughout the body. The result is an increase in blood flow, heart rate and cardiac output. Essentially, you are conditioning your cardiovascular system without exerting yourself on the treadmill or elliptical. This “workout” of the cardiovascular system has significant beneficial effects on the vascular system, that like exercise, includes a significant decrease in blood pressure.
Incorporating sauna therapy into your home-wellness routine is simple! Call one of our friendly customer service associates at (800) 528-3110 to find out how a JNH Lifestyles sauna can help you improve your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke from the comfort of your own home.
1 High Blood Pressure. (2016). Retrieved September 06, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm.
2Staff, B. M. (2016, June 21). High blood pressure (hypertension). Retrieved September 06, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/complications/con-20019580.
3 Masuda, A., Miyata, M., Kihara, T., Minagoe, S., & Tei, C. (2004). Repeated Sauna Therapy Reduces Urinary 8-Epi-Prostaglandin F 2α. Jpn Heart J Japanese Heart Journal, 45(2), 297-303. doi:10.1536/jhj.45.297.
4Winterfeld, H., Siewert, H., & Strangfeld, D. (1988). Running and sauna as therapy in the rehabilitation of hypertensive patients with IHD after aortocoronary venous bypass surgery with special regard to hemodynamics. Z Kardiol, 77, 190-193.
5 Brunt, V. E., Howard, M. J., Francisco, M. A., Ely, B. R., & Minson, C. T. (2016). Passive heat therapy improves endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure in sedentary humans. The Journal of Physiology. doi:10.1113/jp272453.
