? Sauna’s

[JFJ131]

hi … am on bisoprolol and apixaban and following a cardio version in October am currently in sinus rhythm… fingers crossed! Anyway I used to go to a sauna few years ago and would like to restart this … but … wondering if there are any negatives with afib… eg trigger high pulse . Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Two possibilities. You choose. We are all different/.

[JFJ131 in reply to BobD]

Ah ok ..

[Purplekatt]

I asked my EP if I could use the sauna, whilst in persistent afib but controlled rate (will soon have conversion), and he said ‘yes’, but take it easy and go by how you feel. The same with exercise he said I will not be able to do the same rate as before, but good to do some, and again to go by how I feel. Due to now having blisters from apixaban, I have not tried it yet, but I will as soon as settled. I am a Swede and love a sauna!

[JFJ131 in reply to Purplekatt]

Many thanks for your reply. Best wishes.

[meadfoot]

We had a sauna in our last house when we bought the house as a new build. We only used it a handful of times in the seven years we lived there. Didnt really get on with it and felt somewhat unwell after using it and that was in the good old days prior to afib and svt.

Wouldnt dream of risking one or a hot tub for that matter but thats probably just me. Would have found a better use for the space the sauna and hot tub would have vacated but kept it as it appeared to be a selling point.

Its purely my opinion but it sounds counterintuitive for use when having a heart condition. Be careful and be guided by your medic and how you feel. Best wishes.

[JFJ131]

thanks for your thoughts, advice. Best wishes.

[CDreamer]

I don’t do well in traditional sauna, used to love it but age + autoimmune + AFib = very unwell, however for some reason I can tolerate steam room for short time 5-10 mins - as long as it’s not too hot. I came across a new type of sauna in a health spa recently - they had 2 - one was much cooler than the other and I believe heated by infra red ?? - that was tolerable and I quite enjoyed it and no consequences. That is supposed to have ‘health’ benefits - helped the arthritis in my feet.

[JFJ131 in reply to CDreamer]

thanks for your comments. best wishes

[Blearyeyed]

It's not generally advised even if your AFib is stable because the rapid changes in temperature you experience, and rapid changes in blood pressure , heart rate , and salt and water loss can all trigger AFib and other cardiac symptoms.I've written about this in the past.

Most well ran centres with saunas , steam rooms and hot tubs request to know if you have cardiac conditions and then usually recommend you don't use them or refuse your use of these while you are under the care.

Some physiotherapy units won't even give you hydrotherapy.

You can take some precautions.

Drink a lot but you should also have a snack an hour before and after.

You shouldn't have a rapid change in temperature so you should warm yourself with movement and a shower before you try and instead of rapidly cooling afterwards as you would have before , you need to drink immediately but also slowly cool down by going in a Luke warm shower , which makes the usual therapeutic nature of a sauna or steam less effective.

You should keep warm and dry or dress quickly afterwards and particularly don't let your head rapidly heat or go cold.

You need to test it very slowly, literally begin with a minute and slowly build it up , and stay in them for half the usual time at the most even after slowly testing your tolerance.

Saunas , Steam Rooms and Jacuzzis should also be at a much lower temperature than they generally are in most centres , equally to prevent temperature induced triggers.

As soon as you feel any symptoms, heat discomfort or breath changes you need to leave.

You shouldn't use them within a week of having an infection or if you feel run down .

You shouldn't use them after a workout which may have already depleted your hydration and salt balance because that is far more likely to trigger symptoms.

You shouldn't use steam rooms or saunas that also include excessive heat or aromatics like menthol , pine or eucalyptus which are also stimulating to the heart , particularly in those circumstances.

If you choose to build up to a sauna you are better trying out a warm jacuzzi first then possibly short steam room sessions.

Don't have them if you are suffering DOMS ( delayed onset muscle soreness) an injury or have inflammatory pain.

If you are going to trial any of these heat based therapies you need to do your sessions with a Buddy , particularly when you first begin but preferably whenever you use it for your safety because the potential of you becoming breathless , lightheaded, dizzy or passing out is pretty high even if you were fine in the past.

I used to love them but I can't go near a sauna now , although I can have the occasional short jacuzzi or 5 minutes steam but only when I'm feeling generally well and mainly pain free.

Intense versions of massage are also a trigger and have their own advisory guidelines too.

[JFJ131 in reply to Blearyeyed]

a lot of food for thought there. thank you

[Abbyroza]

I have been taking sauna’s for over 40 years, 7 of which with paroxysmal AF, and we have our own cabin now in the garden since 5 years.

In winter, I use it daily, at a temperature of 85 degrees Celcius, most days 3 to 4 fifteen-minutes sessions in a row, with intermediate cooldown in an ice cold shower. When is snows, I roll in the snow to cool down.

None of this has ever triggered my AF or caused any other cardiovascular problems. On the contrary: when I was in AF, it reversed to sinus in the sauna!

My cardiologist approves.

The only instance where I got AF related to sauna, was during the relaxing in my couch afterwards, due to the vagal stimulation resting may cause.

This said… everyone is different. So I advise to start slowly and cautiously. But if you’re like me, you’re in for a great time with lots of health advantages!

[JFJ131 in reply to Abbyroza]

sounds positive. thank you

[Abbyroza in reply to JFJ131]

Enjoy!

[Omniscient1]

It's never even occurred to me. My tolerance anyway is probably about 10 mins at a time I prefer the steam room, but again only for a short time.I can imagine the hot to cold experiences you get at some spas might be triggering (ice baths, plunge pools etc) but then again... that's never occurred to me either.

[DianeEM]

Hi, I love a sauna and steam room. My consultant said continue but limit to 5 minutes. I use them 2 to 3 times a week. Only once in many years did I have a reaction. I felt dizzy and faint, a drink of water and quiet sit for a while bought me around. I never use the jacuzzi as always feel awful after. I guess we're all different, perhaps try it for a few minutes.

[JFJ131 in reply to DianeEM]

thanks for your advice

[Vonnegut]

My PAF was finally diagnosed after I’d been to Bath Spa with my daughter several years ago which included time spent in the sauna. No they are not a good idea for those of us with heart conditions.

[Abbyroza in reply to Vonnegut]

I have asked two cardiologists right after my heart attack, 7 years ego, if I could still do my daily sauna’s. ‘By all means’ was the answer.

[Vonnegut in reply to Abbyroza]

I am sure there was a notice there warning it might not be a good idea for those with heart conditions but I suppose I might be mistaken and as we know, we are all different.

[30912]

If it was me, I wouldn't because the stress on my body coping with the heat would surely wake the sleeping beast.

[Adalaide2020]

I could not tolerate saunas when I had Af.I have been in sinus for over a year and I wont have a sauna now...just in case. As Bob says we are all different, but I can live without a sauna in my.life. that's my take on it.

[Tapanac]

I was told never to have a sauna or a jacuzzi or Turkish Bath (steam room) as could bring on an attack of afib and tachycardia

[JFJ131 in reply to Tapanac]

thnaks for sharing your understanding.

[Grmdwnsth]

As others have said - we’re all different.

But in my case…

I’ve stayed off alcohol and caffeine and limited extreme exercise since my CV four months ago, and still in SR.

I went to a ski resort last week and was aware there were risks for some but was happy to try out the spa.

Despite being at high altitude 2000-3500m and my (Apple) watch telling me my heart was under stress with higher than average resting heart rate and lower than average blood oxygen levels, I spent time putting it under a bit more pressure going to sauna and then into a decidedly cool swimming pool.

I felt very energised and my heart stayed in sinus rhythm. Interestingly my back up (Fitbit) watch died on me in the sauna after four years of solid use.

I took a lot of optimism from the fact my heart had outperformed my hitherto bulletproof Fitbit.

[JFJ131 in reply to Grmdwnsth]

well done - your heart outperforming your fitbit! lol. And all sounds good and positive. you sound like myself in that i have stayed off caffeine and alcohol since october cardioversion! hoping , like yourself, to stay in sinus rhythm. good luck

[Paulalexander]

From a medical stand point I dont have much to say, but from a personal one, twice my Afib was started after using the sauna after a gym session. One of these was severe and I had to go to hospital for a fleccanide drip. I dont know what it was\is about the sauna but maybe its stress response and\or dehydration, or could even be coincidence, although I feel not.

[JFJ131 in reply to Paulalexander]

appreciate your sharing of that. certainly sounds beyond coincidence eh! thanks for your contribution.

[Keano99]

you can combat the loss of fluid/electrolytes by drinking 360 ml of unsweetened coconut water, add unsweetened lemon and lime juice, 60ml of each., 1/4 tbs salt, 480ml water. I found this on healthline, it works a treat. More natural and cheaper than lucozade sport etc..