Spa visits

[Pugapoo]

I have been invited on a spa day, and ‘heart condition’ is a health issue mentioned on the pre-visit form.

I am not currently in AF but getting plenty of ectopic beats.

I wouldn’t go in the steam room but was planning a massage.

Any wisdom?

[CDreamer]

I’ve never had a problem with massage but ensure the person giving you the massage is properly trained and qualified and explain your condition, they should take a medical history anyway. They are often worried about people on anticoagulants but I’ve never experienced a problem and I bruise really easily. I also use a steam room but only for short duration - no more than 5 mins but avoid the sauna as dry heat is the worst for me. Everyone reacts very differently so ensure you are perfectly happy about what you do and above all, keep well hydrated.

[opal11uk]

I agree with CDreamer and from a professional standpoint however if you are accepted by the provider for a massage do not have any electrical appliance (due to the heart condition itself) if offered and be honest (as I'm sure you would be) in completing the required indemnity form, this is to protect both the therapist and the client.

[DianeEM]

Hello, I belong to a gym, and a couple of times a week I have sauna and steam, like CDreamer says, just maximum of 5 mins, the jacuzzi isn't good for me. Regarding massage, I have 25 minute shoulder neck and back massage with no issues but recently had full back of body which was 1 hour long and felt dreadful after - not AF but woozy and dizzy.Make sure you drink plenty of water.

Relax and enjoy the pampering.

[OldJane]

regular massages no problems

[Dudtbin]

i was surprised on holiday to see warnings re heart problems and the hot tub apparently big nono !

[etheral in reply to Dudtbin]

Be interested in knowing why. Have a hot tub at home and use it several times weekly. Your peripheral blood vessels will be dilated and unless you're taking a nitrate I can't think of a problem. etheral

[clifetta in reply to etheral]

I have a hot tub abd use it regurlarly..AF, leaky valves and Pad.no problems

[MummyLuv]

I have a facial/massage every 6 weeks or so. Both in afib and 3 months after surgery onwards. I regularly use hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms and never had a problem. I find they all relax me which is good. Note your condition down on the form and go and enjoy yourself, listen to your body and stop anything that you are worried about.

[Crystalbowl]

I have regular full body massages and have been to a spa several times recently and used all the facilities - steam, hot tub, sauna, etc but I don’t tend to stay in any of them very long at a time. I haven’t noticed any untoward effects on my heart but my af is asymptomatic so I probably wouldn’t.

[Sustainedvtach270]

I stay away from sauna and hot bath. Last year when sick with covid, I took a bath, my heart rate jumped high and triggered my ICD...