Copyright People’s Pharmacy

Q: When I get out of the sauna, my blood pressure is lower.  It also runs lower in the summertime.  Perhaps the vasodilation due to heat is beneficial over the long term, but I am not sure if there are any studies.  Do you know of any?

A: A recent review by Australian scientists concludes that heat therapy helps lower blood pressure and improves blood vessel dilation (Experimental Physiology, June 2021).  The authors note that people with a lifelong sauna habit are at lower risk of cardiovascular disease.  Another review reports that sauna bathing reduces cardiometabolic disorders and recommends the practice for people in high-stress occupations such as first responders (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Jan. 27, 2021).  A sauna session also improves blood flow for people with stable coronary artery disease (Canadian Journal of Cardiology, March 2021).