Why Spas are Great for Heart Health

Do you have a serious heart condition you’ve been battling for years? Have you tried many potential solutions with little to no success? If so, it might be time for you to start thinking a bit more outside of the box!

At RnR Hot Tubs, we know that many people would like a premier hot tub simply for the purpose of having a relaxing place to unwind from the stresses of the day. However, we also believe it’s important to recognize the health benefits of owning your own hot tub.

If you suffer from a heart condition or diabetes, there are a number of ways in which having your own premier hot tub can improve your health. While hot tubs have traditionally been seen as a risk for heart patients, new research suggests otherwise.

Simulated Exercise 

A recent study completed by the Mayo Clinic concluded that soaking in a hot tub could actually provide the same health benefits as regular exercise, with potentially less strain on the heart in the process. This is because getting in a hot tub increases the heart rate but lowers blood pressure, unlike many other forms of exercise.

The Mayo Clinic’s study tested a sample of 15 patients at risk for heart disease by examining body temperature and cardiovascular stress. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored for the patients in two settings, on an exercise bicycle and in a hot tub.

The results suggest that relaxing in a hot tub puts less stress on the heart than exercising on a bicycle for an equivalent amount of time. According to Dr. Thomas G. Allison from the May Clinic, “When you get in a hot tub, your heart naturally beats faster, and many heart disease patients want to know if the stress placed on the heart is too great.”

Risk and Reward

Prior to this study, it was widely believe that hot tubs presented a considerable risk for those patients suffering from a serious heart condition or diabetes. Conclusive evidence of an average drop in blood pressure and increase in heart rate across the board has the potential to turn this belief on its’ head.

When the body is submerged to the neck in a hot tub, cardiac volume can actually increase by nearly one-third. It’s important to note that this change is not a normal occurrence when the body is sedentary when dry.

Simply by sitting in a hot tub, your heart can get a significant cardiovascular workout without the strain of other forms of physical activity. For heart patients with notoriously high blood pressure, this means a hot tub can actually be a healthy place to exercise your heart without causing it an excessive amount of stress.

Stress Relief 

While the Mayo Clinic has begun to use hot water hydrotherapy to improve cardiovascular health, soaking in a hot tub can also do wonders for lowering your stress levels. Excessive stress puts more pressure on your vital life systems, not just your heart but also the body as a whole.

While we firmly believe in the health benefits of owning a hot tub, it’s always essential for you to talk to your doctor about how a hot tub might affect your health. If you’d like to talk to an experienced hot tub professional, please don’t hesitate to give the team at RnR Hot Tubs a call at 1-403-203-0860 today!