Is Sauna Good for Blood Circulation? 7 Powerful Facts

One of the most common claims that new sauna users encounter is the effect on blood circulation. The claim is that sauna can affect and improve it. If you are aware that sauna-related marketing materials often use overstatements, you might think this is one of them.

Surprisingly, many of the claims are actually true – sauna is good for blood circulation. The important thing to note is that it can improve your blood flow temporarily. It is also worth noting that it is not an actual treatment for any sort of cardiovascular disease.

The truth is that sauna affects your blood flow more as a side effect of its main purpose, which is to make you sweat. Now, let’s unpack this and see what actually happens.

How Sauna Affects Blood Circulation

To answer the question is sauna good for blood circulation, we must first understand how it all works.

When you enter a sauna, you get exposed to its heat. This exposure causes a process in your body called vasodilation. This means that your blood vessels start to dilate, or expand. They are directed toward the skin, where they cause sweating – your body’s main cooling mechanism.

To speed up the process, your body increases your heart rate. So far, this is all normal, and it happens both in the sauna and during physical activity. Blood flow gets closer to the skin to release heat, and that is why you sweat.

This process causes a temporary increase in blood flow. Note that this does not mean that you get a structural improvement of arteries. It is not a long-term solution, more a momentary response to a current situation.

As soon as you exit the sauna and your body starts to cool, your blood flow will return to normal. The same goes for your heart rate.

The process remains the same whether you use a steam sauna or an infrared sauna. The difference between the two is in how they achieve the goal.

A steam sauna uses moist heat and humidity. An infrared sauna uses dry heat, targeting the body directly.

This method penetrates the skin and heats up your body and tissue on a deeper level. However, the experience is significantly milder. For those who don’t like the intensity of steam, this is a good way to achieve relaxation.

The end result is still the same, however – triggering the mentioned process that results in sweating.

What Are The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects?

The main thing to understand is that most of the effects of the process are short-term. They only last for the duration of your sauna session. Once you are out of the sweat tent’s high temperature, your body returns to normal.

The most obvious of these short-term effects is the feeling of warmth on your skin. You will also feel an increased heart rate, similar to light exercise, as mentioned before.

Finally, sauna may cause a temporary feeling of improved circulation. Just remember that this only lasts until your body cools down again.

However, most users are more interested in the long-term effects. Note that there is less evidence to confirm these. With that said, some studies associate regular sauna use with improved cardiovascular markers.

What this means is that regular use may, in some cases, affect heart rate. Some researchers have noted that there is the potential for improved vascular function.

This doesn’t mean that sauna use can cure heart disease, or provide any guaranteed health benefits. Researchers still debate whether it can even reduce the risk of heart disease. As such, it is not a replacement for medical treatments or exercise.

Most of the long-term research is still only speculative and incomplete. As such, there is no guarantee of long-term sauna effects, as the research is still ongoing.

It is also worth noting that sauna use doesn’t affect everyone the same. This makes it difficult to come to any definitive conclusions.

However, many often misunderstand this due to marketing language. To sell better, marketing teams tend to overstate potential benefits and use them as facts.

Who Can Benefit From Using A Sauna?

Since sauna use does have a short-term effect on circulation, it can be helpful to some users. For example, people with cold extremities due to poor peripheral circulation can use it to briefly warm up.

However, sauna use is mainly for relaxation and stress reduction. With that said, many combine it with exercise, as it can also help with recovery.

In truth, the benefits of sauna bathing are fairly limited. It is a relaxation tool, not a treatment machine or a miracle cure.

With that said, it is worth noting that it can have a positive, indirect impact on heart health. For example, while a sauna cannot directly improve heart conditions, it can reduce stress.

This stress reduction can have a direct positive impact on cardiovascular health. Even so, you should keep in mind that the sauna is mainly a supportive tool, not a corrective one.

When Is Sauna Use Not Good For Blood Circulation?

While there are people and situations where sauna therapy can be helpful, there are opposite scenarios, as well. For example, the effects of a sauna can be negative for people with unstable heart conditions.

It is also not ideal for people with lower blood pressure or prone to dizziness.

Rapid changes in blood pressure can cause such individuals to feel dizzy or even faint. The same is true for those with an electrolyte imbalance or prone to dehydration.

Using a sauna means sweating, which is the way your body loses fluids and electrolytes. If it already struggles with dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, using a sauna could worsen the issue.

Finally, a sauna is not for people with an acute illness or fever. While it can help users with mild illness symptoms relax, it is best to avoid it during a fever.

Does It Matter For Blood Flow Whether You Are Using A Steam or An Infrared Sauna?

Comparing steam vs. infrared sauna is still one of the hottest debates among sauna users. In truth, for the most part, it comes down to personal preference. However, if you were wondering if it matters when it comes to blood flow, the answer is – it might.

As mentioned earlier, steam and infrared saunas differ quite a lot in how they do things. However, at the end of the day, they do the same thing. Whether you are using a traditional Finnish sauna or a portable sauna, their job is to make you sweat.

The same is true when comparing infrared vs. steam sauna. With that said, a steam sauna offers a more intense experience. The intensity doesn’t come from them being hotter.

In fact, that is usually not the case at all. The heat in steam-based saunas is often lower than in infrared models.

But the humidity changes your perception of them, and they feel hotter. This is also the reason why you might experience a stronger cardiovascular response in steam saunas.

Infrared saunas penetrate the skin and go deeper into the tissue. However, their heat is also gentler and slower. This makes it easier to tolerate. As such, it is ideal for those who find steam saunas too difficult to breathe in.

But, at the end of the day, both will temporarily increase circulation. The real choice is not what they can do for you – it’s your tolerance and comfort.

FAQ

Conclusion

So, with everything said and done – is sauna good for blood circulation? The short answer is – yes, but only in the short-term.

Sauna use will not have a lasting effect on your blood circulation, but only a temporary one. This is why you should not consider it a solution to blood flow problems, only a temporary aid.

Sauna use can have a physiological effect on the body, which was confirmed by research. However, it is not a cure for heart problems or low blood pressure. It can improve blood flow momentarily, but not permanently.

As such, it is best used by relatively healthy adults. Beyond that, remember to use it in moderation and take the necessary precautions, such as hydration. Sauna can have negative effects on certain users, so always consult your doctor before using it.

If you wish to use a sauna to relax or improve circulation in hands and feet, even if only briefly, consider one of our top picks for the best portable sauna for home use.