Hot Tubs

[Timpsonboy]

I am booked to go on holiday soon and the property has a hot tub.Now that I have AF am I safe to use the hot tub?

[Goldfish_]

Af shouldn't stop you from doing anything. Live your life fully and do whatever you want, although anxiety makes everything worse.

[adamcrossley1986]

I would be careful and listen to your body, I personally can't touch them as the heat affects my rhythm and my blood pressure and I can pass out, while I don't know if this is a direct affect of PAF or the medication it was never something I experienced before I was diagnosed.

It's like anything, just be careful and try things out, if they affect you don't do it. E.G I can't drink a lot of alcohol anymore, particularity drinks with high alcohol content as it affects my heart the next day, same with caffeine and tiredness. So I make sure I don't have late nights close together, I'm careful with my alcohol consumption and I only have a few cups of caffeinated beverages per day. Nothing is cut out as such, just reduced.

Just see what affects you and then compromise/adjust, try the hot tub for ten minutes then get out and have a break, see how you feel. If your ok get in for another ten and keep testing to see how it affects you. Everyone is different and there will be people out there with AF that can sit in a hot tub for as long as they wish and be fine, then there's people like me that can't look at them anymore. Just see how things work for you and listen to your body and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Tototcx]

Hi there. I went in one on holiday and was fine but I only found out about the warnings afterwards! I presume it can lower your blood pressure much like a hot bath can which can put pressure on your heart if you are taking beta blockers etc which I'm not. I do take flecainide constantly though. Maybe someone else will know the official policy.

[Barb1]

Any public place like a spa will say no but that is just precautionary. Give it a go. Listen to your body. Triggers or none are individual.

[BobD Volunteer]

AF may be in your life but don't let it be all of your life. Live a little.

Lots of things can set off AF once you have it and nothing at all so try anything once. Listen to your body and above all enjoy life.

[pilgarlick]

My GP, when my paroxysmal AF was first diagnosed, and in answer to my question of what I should and shouldn't do, replied, very sensibly: "You are not an invalid. Get on with it". That was nearly 30 years ago, and my AF has not stopped me doing anything. In spite of trying really hard, I have never found a single "trigger" and there is no pattern to my episodes, although tiredness and overindulgence are more likely to bring it on. But my GP's advice was timely and very useful.

[dave1950 in reply to pilgarlick]

pilgarlick (didn't that once win the Grand National?) sounds like me and my situation. I have only known for 6 months and have pretty much that attitude although it is a bit of a nuisance when I get it for 24hrs avery couple of weeks although affects me little. I would just say you need to be aware of your own stroke risk and also we are all different.

[seasider18]

Prior to me having AF but with hypertension we went to thermal baths in Rotorua in N.Z. They were actually in a hospital and they took our medical details and checked your BP before allowing us to use it.

[Steve112]

Don't let this pesky little problem dictate your life...there are so many things that may trigger an episode and one of them is worry and stress..stay fit eat well don't smoke and just enjoy life..your body has a great habit of telling you how things are going on ...enjoy the Tub....

[Emsysy]

I have AF. Should I leave home !

[10gingercats]

I would enter a hot tub with caution.As most people write here,and quite correctly, you cannot stop your life on account of AF. but at all stages of life there are times when one should exercise caution.If you are a 'risk taker' then go for it.

[Annekw]

Hot tubs are fine! Just check the temperature,a hotel we visited had the water far too hot,they said visitors liked it that way! I didn't,this was prior to me developing AF!

[Geza10]

38c should be fine if you feel dizzy get out always have someone with you in the tub

[PeterWh]

The key is check the temperature, manage the time and make sure someone else is there. Even if it is attended the staff member may not be looking at where you are. Also remember that although it is very unlikely that anything will happen but when you are in a bath and feel feint, or a short daze or small sleep or unconscious spell you almost certainly won't drown. However in a hot tub there is much more chance.

[Geza10 in reply to PeterWh]

did you not read the post above ?

[dave1950]

My advice to EVERYONE (AF or not!) is don't go near a hot tub! I am a retired water quality scientist and worked on Cruise Ships. This is where the biggest problems with E.coli, Legionella and other bacteria occurred. You are relying on the correct chlorination by the operator. Fine if it's right - but is it? You have a bath full of water at the perfect temperature for bacterial growth (~38C), organic matter as food from skin and whatever plus a constant supply of air bubbled in for aerobic bacteria. A bacteria's idea of heaven! Of course if you really must .............

Dave

[Chris147]

We have a hot tub which I really enjoyed. My cardiologist said use it carry on doing everything. My gp said an absolute no. I rang the British heart foundation who have a great help line run by medical staff and they said no. I suppose the decision has to be based on how you are feeling at the time,are you prepared to take the risk. If you feel unwell what do you do certainly make sure your health insurance covers you. I know we have to get on with our lives personally speaking staying in nsr is more important than the hot tub which has stood empty in my garden for 3 years.

[Hidden]

I asked my cardiologist this question and they said b best to avoid the hot tub.

[Hidden]

Probably best not to go in the cold cold sea and do a bit of surfing on holiday too, but it's part of who I am, so I did it. And enjoyed it