Cardiovascular health plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, yet the global rise in deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases is a growing concern. Malaysia, like many other countries, is not immune to this trend. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of maintaining cardiovascular health, explore the symptoms of poor cardiovascular health, identify those at risk, and uncover how infrared sauna therapy can be used as a valuable tool in reducing cardiovascular and kidney disease risks.
The Global Challenge
Cardiovascular diseases (e.g. heart attack, stroke & high blood pressure) are a leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 17.9 million lives were lost due to cardiovascular diseases in 2019 alone. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of addressing cardiovascular health on a global scale and Malaysia is no exception. Despite the high fatality caused by Covid-19 pandemic, cardiovascular related disease was the leading cause of death at 21.9% in Malaysia based on 2021 statistics shown below (i.e. medically certified causes of death).
Why Your Cardiovascular Health Matter?
Maintaining cardiovascular health is essential for a long and healthy life. Our cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for supplying oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the body. When cardiovascular health is compromised, it can lead to severe consequences, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. It also impacts our quality of life and whether we are able to live an active and meaningful life as we age.
Why is high blood pressure the most common cause of kidney disease?
Controlling blood pressure is crucial for maintaining good overall health, and it’s especially important when it comes to kidney disease. The relationship between blood pressure and kidney health is bidirectional, meaning they both influence each other. High blood pressure significantly increases the risk of developing kidney disease, and once kidney disease is present, managing blood pressure becomes exceedingly difficult. This creates a vicious cycle that can be challenging to break. Apart from high blood pressure, diabetes is also a major cause of chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. They not only maintain fluid balance through urine production but also have important hormonal functions that are essential for controlling blood pressure levels. Over time, the increased high blood pressure damages the kidney leading to chronic kidney disease where the kidney no longer function, leaving dialysis or kidney transplant as the only treatment options.
Who is at risk for cardiovascular disease?
People who have these following habits and unhealthy condition increase their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
- high blood pressure
- overweight and obesity
- kidney disease
- high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“the bad cholesterol”)
- high stress
- atherosclerosis (a condition where the blood vessels clogs up which may cause heart attack or stroke)
- a sedentary lifestyle
- smoking and second-hand smoke exposure
- unhealthy diet of processed food and sugar.
Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take proactive steps towards maintaining their cardiovascular health through a healthy diet of eating real food, exercise and sauna therapy. Infrared sauna therapy is an effective tool to help people overcome the top five risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Harnessing the Power of Infrared Sauna Therapy
Recent research has shed light on the benefits of infrared sauna therapy in reducing cardiovascular and kidney disease risks in the following studies highlighted below.
The latest research on sauna therapy published in October 2021 entitled “Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan” observed that long-term and frequent sauna use protects against cardiovascular disease. Apart from protection against cardiovascular disease, our body’s responses to sauna use are similar to those experienced during moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise. For example, both sauna use and aerobic exercise can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. As such, the combination of exercise followed by sauna use has emerged as a healthy lifestyle behavior and primary prevention strategy that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, stroke and clogged-up heart arteries. Sauna therapy can be a good alternative to aerobic exercise for people who are unable to do physical activity due to chronic disease or physical limitations.
A 2002 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology titled “Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure” found that infrared sauna therapy improved the cardiovascular health of patients with chronic heart failure. After undergoing daily infrared sauna therapy for two weeks, the patients’ high blood pressure was lowered, their hearts’ ability to pump blood were enhanced with improvement in their blood circulation as shown in the diagram below.
Sauna therapy has been shown to reduce stress and cardiovascular risk, particularly for people in high-stress occupations as highlighted in a 2021 study titled “The Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations. A Mechanistic Review” (PMCID: PMC7908414). The study found that sauna exposure led to increased heart rate and blood flow, which promotes relaxation and releases endorphins, the body’s natural stress-relieving hormones. Moreover, sauna therapy helps to improve blood vessel function by dilating blood vessels, reducing blood pressure, and enhancing circulation. The study also found that sauna exposure reduced levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and increased levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). This reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis and strokes.
Regular sauna therapy can also improve lipid profiles of men and women. It was reported in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health that daily sauna therapy over a two weeks period reduced the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (”bad cholesterol”) levels, as well as increased the HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”). These positive changes reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Nephrology (Nephron) in March 2015 titled “Sauna bathing improves kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease” showed that sauna three times per week for 12 weeks improved the kidney function of patients with chronic kidney disease. The Japanese researchers found significant improvements in kidney function, as measured by serum creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). This study concluded that sauna may be an effective therapy for improving the kidney function of patients with chronic kidney disease.
What do cardiologists say about sauna therapy?
Dr. Thomas H. Lee, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, states in the Harvard Heart Letter, “The cardiovascular effects of sauna have been well documented in the past. It lowers blood pressure, and there is every reason to believe that its effects are good for blood vessels.” Dr. Adolph Hutter, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston and Clinical Cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital agrees that “The high temperatures in a warm tub or sauna cause your blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure.”
Furthermore, in his book “Lifespan,” renowned scientist David Sinclair emphasizes the potential benefits of heat therapy, stating that “Heat therapy can improve blood vessel function, enhance circulation, and reduce inflammation, all of which contribute to better cardiovascular health.”
Conclusion
Maintaining cardiovascular health is of utmost importance for a fulfilling life. Regular exercise combined with sauna therapy, adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent cardiovascular disease, and working closely with healthcare professionals can all contribute to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health and preserving healthy kidney function. Infrared sauna therapy has emerged as a promising tool in reducing cardiovascular and kidney disease risks. Scientific evidence supports its ability to lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function, and enhance overall cardiovascular and kidney health. However, it’s essential to consult healthcare professionals for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions before incorporating sauna therapy into one’s routine.
Remember, taking care of your cardiovascular health is an investment in your well-being, ensuring a healthier future filled with vitality and joy.
References
- 2021 study titled “The Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations. A Mechanistic Review” (PMCID: PMC7908414). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7908414/
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(01)01824-1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109701018241
- Int J Occup Med Environ Health, 2014 Aug;27(4):608-18. (PMID: 25001587 DOI: 10.2478/s13382-014-0281-9) The effect of sauna bathing on lipid profile in young, physically active, male subjects, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25001587/
- Int J Occup Med Environ Health, 2010, (PMID: 20682487 DOI: 10.2478/v10001-010-0020 -9) Changes in the lipid profile of blood serum in women taking sauna baths of various duration, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20682487/
- Journal of Nephrology (Nephron) in March 2015 titled “Sauna bathing improves kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease” Nephrol Dial Transplant, 30(3), 679-685. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfv033
- Experimental Gerontology, Volume 154, 15 October 2021, Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509
