Hot tubs have been the go-to relaxation spot for tight-laced Victorians, stressed-out executives, and every other type of person in between for decades. But now, with more research available on the potential risks of spa culture than ever before, is this once booming industry coming to an end? There’s no denying that hot tubs can be extremely relaxing.
In fact, there are plenty of proven health benefits associated with soaking in one regularly. However, many people are starting to believe that these benefits don’t outweigh the potential dangers that come from soaking in a hot tub regularly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what’s true and what’s false about hot tubs and your heart…
Does soaking in a hot tub benefit your heart?
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about whether or not hot tubs are good for your heart. In truth, there are many pros associated with soaking in a hot tub regularly, but there are also a few cons.
Let’s take a look at both sides of the story here: Hot tubs are great for your heart because they help to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, relieve muscle inflammation and spasms, improve blood flow and circulation, and relax your central nervous system.
All of these factors will result in lower blood pressure, which is a huge benefit to your cardiovascular system! Hot tubs are bad for your heart because they promote fluid retention and raise your blood pressure, raise your core body temperature, and they increase your risk of developing bacterial infections in your heart. These factors will all result in higher blood pressure, which isn’t good for your heart!
Can Hot Tubs Cause Irregular Heart Beats?
People often claim that hot tubs can cause irregular heart beats, but this isn’t actually true. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, hot tubs are more likely to cause an irregular heart rhythm than if you have no pre-existing conditions.
This is because hot tubs can cause blood pressure to rise, which can be a trigger for irregular heart beats in some people. If you don’t have any pre-existing heart conditions, don’t worry! Hot tubs are unlikely to cause irregular heart beats in you. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, you’ll want to consult with your doctor before soaking in a hot tub regularly.
Hot Tubs and High Blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, you’ll want to stay away from hot tubs. This statement shouldn’t come as any surprise! Hot tubs increase blood pressure, especially among people with high blood pressure. You’ll want to avoid hot tubs if you have high blood pressure for two important reasons:
Hot tubs increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes, and they cause long-term damage to your organs and blood vessels.
Hot tubs increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes because they cause blood vessels to dilate and expand, which puts an increased amount of stress on the heart.
This added stress on the heart can cause serious damage to the heart and increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Also Read: Are hot tubs good for arthritis? (3 Reasons To Use Hot Tubs)
Hot Tubs and Rapid Breathing
We all know that hot tubs increase your core body temperature, but are they really that bad for you? Yes, they really are! Hot tubs cause your body to produce more sweat, which can cause your lungs to produce more mucus.
This can lead to you breathing more rapidly and deeply, which can lead to respiratory issues. If you already have respiratory issues and regularly soak in hot tubs, you could experience shortness of breath, coughing, and even wheezing.
If you have pre-existing respiratory issues, you’ll want to avoid regularly soaking in hot tubs. If you have respiratory issues that are caused by hot tubs, you’ll want to stop soaking in them immediately!
Is the water safe for your skin and body?
Most people assume that the water in a hot tub is completely safe, but this isn’t always true. Hot tubs are great for relaxation, but they can also be harmful. You’ll want to be aware of the potential risks associated with soaking in a hot tub.
Hot tubs can expose your body to bacteria, fecal matter, and even E. coli. If you have open cuts or wounds on your body, you’ll want to avoid hot tubs. You’ll also want to make sure that you always use a chemical treatment to clean your hot tub.
If you don’t, you risk exposing yourself to harmful bacteria. If you don’t treat your hot tub regularly, you run a high risk of contracting bacterial infections.
Common-sense hot tub tips
If you decide to open up a hot tub in your backyard, make sure that you maintain it regularly. You’ll want to clean your hot tub once a week, and you might even want to treat your hot tub once a week with a chemical treatment. You’ll also want to make sure that you keep your hot tub covered when it isn’t in use.
This will help to keep your hot tub from collecting large amounts of dust and dirt. If your hot tub has room for toys, you’ll also want to make sure that you don’t leave them in the water for very long.
Why do hot tubs put your heart at risk?
Hot tubs increase your risk of developing bacterial infections in your heart. This is because many people don’t clean their hot tubs regularly, and a dirty hot tub is a breeding ground for bacteria! Hot tubs also cause your blood vessels to dilate and expand, which puts added stress on the heart.
When your blood vessels dilate and expand, they temporarily put your heart under additional stress. This added stress on the heart can cause long-term damage to your heart, which can lead to heart disease.
You’ll want to make sure that you don’t soak in a hot tub regularly if you have a heart condition. If you do regularly soak in a hot tub, you risk long-term heart damage.
Also Read: Can hot tubs be salt water Are salt water hot tubs better?
Conclusion
Hot tubs have long been associated with relaxation, but they aren’t completely harmless. Hot tubs raise your blood pressure and core body temperature, and they can also cause bacterial infections in your heart.
If you have a pre-existing heart condition and regularly soak in a hot tub, you could experience long-term heart damage from hot tubs. If you don’t have any pre-existing heart conditions and regularly soak in a hot tub, you could experience short-term heart damage from hot tubs.
Reference
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7020a1.htm
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults