Safe to sauna?

[Worvera]

Hi I have microvascular angina which is quite well managed. I’m just trying to get back to swimming and wondered if it would be safe to use the sauna and steam room. I get chest pain when I’m cold so I thought it might help but am to scared to try it out 😬

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Worvera,

I would check with your Cardiologist or give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses.

I don't personally use a sauna or steam room.

I suspect it could trigger my vasospastic angina.

I had to be really careful in the heatwave.

The heat dilates the blood vessels further, which can lower your blood pressure and increase your heartrate.

[Worvera in reply to Milkfairy]

Good morning Milkfairy 😊 I ask this because in two weeks in Corfu I had very little chest pain and was able to swim a little each day. I felt so much better when I got home a week ago but since then I have gone back to daily use of gtn (I live in Scotland and we haven’t had a great summer here). I’m trying to keep up the exercise at our local pool. I have an appointment with the research team at Golden Jubilee hospital on Friday so will ask about it there but was wondering about others’ experience. It’s the cold conditions that affect me the worst! ……… just have to move to sunnier climate 😎

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Worvera]

Well you have the good fortune of being in contact with the Golden Jubilee team😊

I wear a wetsuit when I go swimming it helps with the sudden temperature changes getting in and out of the pool.

I like the warmth too, however 40oC was just a bit too much.

I am not looking forward to the winter and the horrendous increase in fuel bills on the way 🥶

[Worvera in reply to Milkfairy]

Oooh I know 🥶 All the tips you gave about layering up helped last winter helped Milkfairy but if I’m given the all clear to sauna I’ll just move in there 😉. I hadn’t thought about a wetsuit though! I was cold getting out of the pool yesterday!

[Silvertail in reply to Milkfairy]

I think you need to be careful with saunas. There is a limit to how hot a spa should be because too high can cause your blood pressure to go up. Best to ask a doctor.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Silvertail]

I think you meant this comment for Worvera?

[Silvertail in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you, I did. Sorry, I must have clicked the wrong reply.

[Worvera in reply to Silvertail]

Thank you ☺️

[BridBoy]

Be careful, your heart has to work a lot harder with excessive heat to keep your body cool.

[Worvera in reply to BridBoy]

Yes I guess so Birdboy. It’s just that my health was so much better in the heat in Corfu recently. I get chest pain in the cold weather and have to wear multiple layers, even in the house (my family complain of the heat when I’m relaxing watching tv otherwise!)

[Silvertail]

I think you need to be careful with saunas/hot spas. I know there is a limit to how hot a spa should be because too high can cause your blood pressure to go up. I should think it would be the same with saunas. Best to ask a doctor.