Expert: Domenic Sica - 9/29/2009

Question
Thank you kindly for taking my question. I'm confused on the different opinions about HTN and saunas. Some say to avoid them if you are Hypertensive, others say that the heat lowers your blood pressure. I'm borderline and not taking meds, but would like to go in the sauna after a workout. What do you recommend?

Answer
Heat typically lowers blood pressure. Those who are saying to avoid it if you are hypertensive say so because it can lower your blood pressure excessively if you happen to be taking blood pressure medications and do so close to the time of entry into a sauna. If you are borderline hypertensive and not taking medications I cannot see where there would be any particular problem with going to a sauna after a workout; however, an excessive duration of time in a sauna whether a person is hypertensive or not to start can wash someone out.

Best regards,

Domenic Sica, M.D.