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Is Sauna Bathing Advisable For Patients With Coronary Artery Disease?
Question: I had a retinal stroke and lose 94% sight in my right eye 7 days ago. This was a result of a 90% obstruction in my r. carotid artery. I t was the "Memorial Day" weekend. The neurologist did angioplasty. The following day I had 3 stents put in the R. coronary artery. On Monday, XXXXXXX 12th, I will have 3 more stents put into the L. coronary artery. All my arteries appear to be prone to plaque build up. I am on blood thinners, 2 B.P. medicines, 40mg of statin, and several medicines to prevent heart attacks. I ache all over and wanted to have a 45 minute sauna. My wife is strongly against the sauna, especially since I just finished dinner. Saunas help my aches and pains, tho' recently I find it difficult to breathe 15 to 20 minutes into my sauna. I go out for a few minutes and lie down and then return to the sauna. I have always thought that saunas are good for heart patients because they thin one's blood.
Is it really 'bad for me in my vurrent condition?
Is it really 'bad for me in my vurrent condition?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would agree with your wife on the fact that Sauna is not a good idea in your clinical situation.
I also agree with you on the fact that Sauna are good for health and they help prevent coronary artery disease and improve the heart situation in many patients.
But you should know that different studies have shown that Sauna increase the risk of cardiac ischemia and cardiac arrhythmia in coronary artery disease patients like you.
This may be explained by the fact that Sauna can cause a physical stress to the body, leading to changes increased cardiac muscle contraction and also increased peripheral resistances (vessel constriction) in many organs.
It happens because of the vessel dilation in the skin and a lower blood flow to other organs (like the heart and the brain).
In healthy persons without coronary artery disease or carotid artery nothing bad happens as these organs have their own mechanisms of blood flow autoregulation.
But in case when the blood vessels are damaged (like in coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease), these organs may suffer from ischemia due to an inappropriate blood flow supply.
To conclude, I would strongly recommend you to avoid Sauna in your clinical situation.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would agree with your wife on the fact that Sauna is not a good idea in your clinical situation.
I also agree with you on the fact that Sauna are good for health and they help prevent coronary artery disease and improve the heart situation in many patients.
But you should know that different studies have shown that Sauna increase the risk of cardiac ischemia and cardiac arrhythmia in coronary artery disease patients like you.
This may be explained by the fact that Sauna can cause a physical stress to the body, leading to changes increased cardiac muscle contraction and also increased peripheral resistances (vessel constriction) in many organs.
It happens because of the vessel dilation in the skin and a lower blood flow to other organs (like the heart and the brain).
In healthy persons without coronary artery disease or carotid artery nothing bad happens as these organs have their own mechanisms of blood flow autoregulation.
But in case when the blood vessels are damaged (like in coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease), these organs may suffer from ischemia due to an inappropriate blood flow supply.
To conclude, I would strongly recommend you to avoid Sauna in your clinical situation.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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