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Can I go to a bathhouse if I have bradycardia?
Last reviewed: 11.07.2024
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Bathing in bradycardia may be acceptable, but requires prior consultation with a physician. Bradycardia generally means a decrease in heart rate below 60 beats per minute. Because bathing can alter heart rate and blood pressure, several factors must be considered:
- Consult a doctor: Before going to the sauna, always consult a cardiologist or general practitioner. Your doctor will be able to assess your health, your level of bradycardia and the possible risks associated with bathing.
- Individual differences: Each person is unique and reactions to heat and steam may vary. Some people may experience discomfort or even worsening of their condition when visiting a sauna due to bradycardia.
- Caution with temperature changes: Increased temperature and humidity in the bathhouse can cause an increase in heart rate and changes in blood pressure. This can be dangerous for people with bradycardia or other heart problems.
- Moderation and prudence: If your doctor approves you to go to the sauna, be prudent and monitor your health. Do not stay in the sauna for too long, avoid overheating, and ensure adequate rest and hydration.
- Take precautions: Drink enough water to avoid dehydration and avoid drinking alcohol before going to the bathhouse.
In any case, it is important to listen to your body and carefully monitor your well-being during and after your visit to the sauna. If you feel unwell or unusual symptoms occur, stop immediately and seek medical attention.
In general, if a person has any disease of the cardiovascular system, it is not recommended to visit a bathhouse, because high temperature, high humidity, steam, can cause deterioration of the condition, the development of a heart attack. Nevertheless, among specialists of various profiles today there is no unanimous answer to the question of whether it is possible to visit a bathhouse in bradycardia.
Some experts are categorically against going to the bath at the appearance of the slightest signs of bradycardia. Others believe that a reasonable and moderate visit to the bath at a mild degree of bradycardia is not only not contraindicated, but even useful. So, if a person has a mild degree of bradycardia, in which the pulse rate does not fall below 50 beats per minute, attacks are observed about once a month, and the state of the person is quite comfortable, painless, the bath is not worth refusing. Of course, you need to remain vigilant, do not overdo it with a stay in the steam room. It is also not recommended to change the temperature abruptly: immediately after leaving the steam room should not be doused with ice water or thrown into the snow. It is also necessary to strictly exclude alcohol. If the first signs of shortness of breath, dizziness, deterioration of well-being, it is necessary to leave the bath.
If a person has medium and severe stage of bradycardia, in which attacks occur 3-8 times a month, there is a worsening of the condition, the feeling of well-being deteriorates sharply, the pulse rate drops below 50 beats per minute, and such attacks last from 40 minutes and more, it is better to refrain from visiting the bathhouse. Bath is also contraindicated if a person has a pacemaker or pacemaker.
If you want to visit a bathhouse when you have bradycardia, you should take some precautions to minimize risks and ensure safety. Here are some tips on how to steam in a bathhouse if you have bradycardia:
- Avoid overheating: Do not overheat and do not stay in the bath too long. The ideal time in the bath is usually around 10-15 minutes, but this can vary depending on your individual needs and health.
- Drink enough fluids: Make sure you drink enough water before, during and after your bath to avoid dehydration. Water loss through sweat can be significant in the bath, so it is important to keep hydrated.
- Remember safety: Be careful when leaving the bath to avoid loss of balance or injury. Remember that too sudden changes in temperature can be dangerous to your heart health, so avoid going from a hot bath to a cold shower or bath too quickly.
- Listen to your body: If you feel unwell or have unusual symptoms such as dizziness, weakness or fainting, stop going to the bath immediately and rest.