This easy lifestyle habit can reduce risk of hypertension
Aug 20, 2019, 19:54 IST
Currently, approximately 1,13 billion people across the globe are suffering from hypertension. You can look that up, if you’re unsure. Hypertension is the condition when the pressure of the blood against the arteries as they flow is higher than normal. Thankfully apart from heavy medications even simple lifestyle changes can change be of help to curb and prevent hypertension. Decreasing the intake of salt, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake are among the few things a person can do. A hypertension patient can also increase their consumption of potassium-rich foods and include more physical activity to ease their situation.
And now, we have learned that frequent sauna bathing can help to reduce the risk of elevated BP. As per a study which was published in the American Journal of Hypertension, the risk of high BP was nearly 50 percent lower among men who had a sauna bath four to seven times a week compared to men who had a sauna only once a week.
According to the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease, Risk Factor Study (KIHD)'s research which was conducted on 1,621 middle-aged men living in the eastern part of Finland and saw how sauna bathing habits positively influenced BP levels.
The participants were divided into three groups. Group A participants had sauna bath once a week while the second group people indulged in two to three times a week. And the third group's participants had sauna bath four to seven times a week. Additionally, these participants never recorded blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg. The researchers followed them for 22 years. After 22 years, the researchers found that 15.5% of the men developed hypertension.
Also, they concluded that the risk of developing high blood pressure was 24% less among men who preferred a sauna bath two to three times a week. And, the risk was 46% less among those who had sauna bath four to seven times a week.
The study explained that sauna bathing decreases systemic blood pressure by affecting biological mechanisms. As we bath, the body temperature rises up to 2-degree Celcius and it leads to vessels' vasodilation. This is not all, it also improves endothelial function (the function of the inside layer of blood vessels). As per several reports, sauna bathing also helps to reduce cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive diseases, pulmonary disease and mental health disorders among others.
To avoid such a situation, it is important to make sure you have a balanced diet which includes fruits and veggies and supplements the same with physical activity including sauna baths for ideal results. Make sure you consult a doctor before you start with sauna bathing.
And now, we have learned that frequent sauna bathing can help to reduce the risk of elevated BP. As per a study which was published in the American Journal of Hypertension, the risk of high BP was nearly 50 percent lower among men who had a sauna bath four to seven times a week compared to men who had a sauna only once a week.
According to the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease, Risk Factor Study (KIHD)'s research which was conducted on 1,621 middle-aged men living in the eastern part of Finland and saw how sauna bathing habits positively influenced BP levels.
The participants were divided into three groups. Group A participants had sauna bath once a week while the second group people indulged in two to three times a week. And the third group's participants had sauna bath four to seven times a week. Additionally, these participants never recorded blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg. The researchers followed them for 22 years. After 22 years, the researchers found that 15.5% of the men developed hypertension.
Also, they concluded that the risk of developing high blood pressure was 24% less among men who preferred a sauna bath two to three times a week. And, the risk was 46% less among those who had sauna bath four to seven times a week.
The study explained that sauna bathing decreases systemic blood pressure by affecting biological mechanisms. As we bath, the body temperature rises up to 2-degree Celcius and it leads to vessels' vasodilation. This is not all, it also improves endothelial function (the function of the inside layer of blood vessels). As per several reports, sauna bathing also helps to reduce cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive diseases, pulmonary disease and mental health disorders among others.
To avoid such a situation, it is important to make sure you have a balanced diet which includes fruits and veggies and supplements the same with physical activity including sauna baths for ideal results. Make sure you consult a doctor before you start with sauna bathing.