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Saunas and heart health
Many people enjoy saunas for relaxation, muscle relief and a general sense of wellbeing. In the UK, they are increasingly popular in gyms, spas and leisure centres.
For people with heart conditions, though, the question is more complicated. Sauna heat can affect heart rate, blood pressure and circulation, so it may be helpful for some people and risky for others.
Possible health benefits
A sauna session can make blood vessels widen, which may improve blood flow. Some people find this reduces stiffness and helps them feel calmer after exercise or a stressful day.
Regular sauna use has also been linked in some studies to lower blood pressure and better cardiovascular fitness. However, these findings do not mean saunas are suitable for everyone with a heart problem.
Potential risks for people with heart conditions
The heat of a sauna makes the heart work harder because the body tries to cool itself down. This can raise the pulse and may put extra strain on people with angina, heart failure or an irregular heartbeat.
Dehydration is another concern. If you lose too much fluid, you may feel dizzy, faint or unwell, and this can be more serious if you already have heart disease or take medicines such as diuretics.
Who should be careful
Anyone with a recent heart attack, unstable angina, severe valve disease or poorly controlled blood pressure should be especially cautious. People recovering from heart surgery should also check with their clinician before using a sauna.
Even if your condition is stable, you may still need individual advice. Your GP, cardiologist or heart failure nurse can help judge whether sauna use is safe for you.
How to use a sauna more safely
If you are cleared to use a sauna, keep sessions short and avoid extreme temperatures. Sit where it feels comfortable, get up slowly and leave immediately if you feel faint, breathless, chesty or unwell.
Drink water before and after, and avoid alcohol around sauna use. It is also sensible to avoid using a sauna alone, especially if you have a known heart condition.
When to get medical advice
If you have chest pain, palpitations, severe breathlessness or a history of serious heart problems, speak to a healthcare professional before trying a sauna. It is better to get personalised advice than to assume it will be harmless.
For some people, regular sauna use can be a pleasant part of a healthy routine. For others, the risks may outweigh the benefits, so safety should come first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sauna use may help some people relax, lower stress, and temporarily improve circulation, but it can also raise heart rate and strain the cardiovascular system. People with heart conditions should treat sauna use as potentially beneficial only with medical approval and careful limits.
People with unstable angina, recent heart attack, severe aortic stenosis, uncontrolled arrhythmias, decompensated heart failure, or frequent fainting should generally avoid sauna use unless their cardiologist says otherwise. Anyone feeling unwell, dizzy, or short of breath should not use a sauna.
Sauna use after a heart attack may be safe for some people only after they have recovered and their doctor clears them. The timing depends on the severity of the event, current symptoms, medications, and overall cardiac stability.
A sauna session can temporarily lower blood pressure after the heat exposure, but the effect is not a treatment for hypertension. People on blood pressure medicines may be more prone to dizziness or fainting, so medical guidance is important.
Yes, the heat, dehydration, and changes in heart rate can sometimes trigger palpitations or arrhythmias in susceptible people. Anyone with a history of rhythm problems should ask a cardiologist before using a sauna.
People with heart conditions should usually start with short sessions, often around 5 to 10 minutes, if cleared by a doctor. Longer sessions increase heat stress and dehydration risk, so gradual, cautious use is safer.
Lower sauna temperatures are generally safer for people with heart conditions than very hot sessions. Exact limits should be individualized by a physician, but extreme heat is more likely to cause strain, low blood pressure, or dehydration.
Some people with stable, well-managed heart failure may tolerate sauna use, but others should avoid it. Because heat can increase cardiac workload and affect blood pressure, heart failure patients need individualized medical advice.
Sauna heat causes blood vessels to widen, which can temporarily increase skin blood flow and create a feeling of improved circulation. This does not replace medical treatment for cardiovascular disease and may be unsafe for some heart patients.
Stop immediately if there is chest pain, pressure, palpitations, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or faintness. These symptoms can indicate dangerous cardiovascular stress and need prompt medical attention.
Yes, dehydration can lower blood pressure, increase heart rate, and make arrhythmias or fainting more likely. People with heart conditions should be well hydrated unless their doctor has restricted fluids.
Infrared saunas may feel less intense to some people, but they still create heat stress and cardiovascular demand. They are not automatically safer for heart conditions, so medical clearance is still important.
Yes, medications such as beta blockers, diuretics, nitrates, and blood pressure drugs can affect how the body responds to heat. These medicines may increase the risk of dizziness, dehydration, or low blood pressure in a sauna.
People with heart conditions should ideally use a sauna with another person nearby, especially the first few times. Supervision can help if dizziness, chest symptoms, or fainting occur.
Older adults may be more vulnerable to dehydration, blood pressure drops, and heat intolerance, especially if they have heart disease. They should use saunas cautiously and only if their clinician agrees it is safe.
Exercising right before a sauna can increase cardiovascular strain and dehydration risk, which may be unsafe for heart patients. If a doctor approves sauna use, it is usually better to avoid combining it with strenuous exercise.
For some people, sauna use can be relaxing and may help reduce stress, which is beneficial for overall heart health. However, relaxation benefits do not outweigh safety concerns if the heart condition is unstable.
A doctor should review the type of heart condition, recent symptoms, blood pressure, rhythm history, medications, hydration status, and any recent cardiac events. Clearance should be individualized rather than based on a general rule.
Sauna use during hot weather can increase total heat burden and dehydration risk, making it harder on the heart. People with heart conditions should be extra cautious and may need to avoid sauna use in very hot conditions.
Seek emergency care if chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, or persistent palpitations occur during or after sauna use. These may be signs of a serious heart problem that needs immediate evaluation.
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