Heart Awareness Month might fall in February, but it was nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. Your heart is more than a symbol of love or a paper cut out on a greeting card. It is the most important organ in the human body, and yet heart disease is the biggest killer in New Zealand – affecting 172,000 people and causing 33% of deaths per year. The statistics can be staggering, but with some simple lifestyle changes you can prevent becoming one of them.

Common solutions usually include a healthy diet and exercise, but regular use of an infrared sauna is another valuable option. Infrared saunas can increase the positive results of following a healthy diet and exercise but also function great on their own. They are one of the best ways to provide preventative care so that you don’t have to worry about serious health problems in the future. They are holistic in their effects, benefiting the entire body rather than simply treating the symptoms of an individual part.

Four Ways that Infrared Saunas Promote Heart Health

Lower Blood Pressure

According to the Center for Disease Control, hypertension effects as many as 1 in 3 Americans and can go unnoticed for long periods of time before causing visible issues. Heat therapy lowers blood pressure by using the same physiological process that happens during aerobic activity. As body temperature slowly rises, blood vessels dilate and cause an increase in blood flow, heart rate and cardiac output. The effect on your body is like that of light to moderate exercise and provides the same result of lowering blood pressure.

Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

When studying the effects of saunas and cardiovascular health, researchers found that “frequent sauna use is associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, and fatal cardio disease”. Because the effects of infrared heat on the body includes an increase in heart rate, metabolic rate and cardiac output, your body experiences a dose of cardio conditioning every time you enjoy a sauna session.

Improved Circulation

Circulation is often overlooked, but it happens to be among the most important bodily functions. It ensures that a healthy amount of blood flow is getting to the heart, lungs, and arteries. However, feelings of persistent fatigue, cold hands or feet, and trouble concentration can all be symptoms of poor circulation and have a negative effect on coronary health. Coming to the rescue is the gentle heat from infrared saunas, which encourage healthy circulation. The warming of your core body temperature heats your tissues and muscles, encouraging greater blood flow, and a healthier heart.

A Solution for Those Who Cannot Perform Traditional Exercise

Saunas also provide a great option for people who have physical disabilities or other pre-conceived conditions that might limit their ability to perform traditional methods of exercise. Infrared saunas can help them to more easily achieve the positive results of cardio training, such as getting their heart rate up, and losing weight without putting unwelcome strain on their body.