Sauna

Do saunas and steam rooms really lower your blood pressure and if so?

does using them consistenly lower your blood pressure only when your in them or does consitent use lower your blood pressure generally? In other words, does your blood pressure get lower only for the time when your actually in or is it a good way to lower your blood pressure over all?

Public Comments

1. Well, I think that if anything it would make your blood pressure higher for the time your in the sauna. I know that high temperatures can raise people's blood pressure. However, if your were to loose weight by using a sauna, then I would say it lowers your blood pressure generally.
2. Hot temperatures speed up your blood pressure as cold temperatures lower it. This is because in cold, body try to hold its temperature, inverse in a hot climate (like doing exercise). If you have high blood pressure is not advisable to use saunas as therapy, you can use cold water or medication. You can read here for more information on drugs for blood pressure problems: http://www.expodrugs.com/
3. Heat from hot tubs or saunas opens the veins which would account for less pressure throughout your body, not more. Think of how much more forcefully water comes out of a house if you squeeze it. If you loosen your grip and let more water through, the pressure is less. I partially passed out recently after a long hot steamy shower because of that very reason. Make sure you're well hydrated. If you google this subject there are tons of articles about it.
4. It only lowers your blood pressure while you're in there. But, the relaxation associated with it can have longer-lasting effects.
5. I'm not sure about the dangers/benefits of saunas and steam rooms but i have heard that people with heart conditions should avoid steam rooms. An even yummier way to lowering blood pressure (I speak for myself anyway) is the consumption of cocoa, which is found in chocolate. It is said that "Cocoa is just as good at lowering blood pressure as prescribed heart medications, according to the latest research." A study in Germany revealed that "people who consume food or drink containing cocoa for two weeks can lower their risk of a heart attack or stroke by between 10 and 20 percent." I believe dark chocolate, which contains the most cocoa is best but still chocolate is chocolate. I apologise if this is COMPLETELY irrelevant (i just got excited)!