June 12, 2008
Heart Conditions and Hot Tubs
Heart conditions and hot tubs have been associated with health issues in a negative manner due to the very nature of the hot water and how it can raise your blood pressure and alternatively drop blood pressure to very low and dangerous levels. If you have ever been in public pool with a hot tub such as those you often see in a hotel, you have probably seen such signs indicating to you that it could be very dangerous for heart conditions and hot tubs. Typically heart conditions and hot tubs do not go well together and can cause potentially dangerous side effects that could cause serious harm to the person using the hot tub.
Things To Know
Heart conditions and hot tubs have been associated with strokes and heart attacks according to the American Stroke Association however, they are not a risk or threat to normally healthy people with healthy hearts. People with high blood pressure or extremely low blood pressure are recommended to see their doctor or physician before going in to a hot tub or beginning hot tub therapy due to heart conditions and hot tub use. There is a direct correlation between the effect of the hot water on your system as well as the rise or fall of the blood pressure. Extreme caution should be taken for those who have a history with heart conditions and hot tubs.
Although heat and hot water is believed to relax the blood vessels in much the same fashion as would going for a quick walk would do it poses some high threat to heart health for people who have pre-existing heart conditions. Heart conditions and hot tubs are also detrimental as well if you are a person whose heart rate shouldn't be accelerated due to chest pains and shortness of breath. It is a general rule of thumb that heart conditions and hot tubs just don't work well together and what once might have worked for one heart patient sufferer can clearly cause destruction and even loss of life in another person.
The elderly sometimes ignore heart conditions and hot tubs because they believe that it is strictly a relaxing therapy that can cause no harm however, medications that are given for high and low blood pressure can often cause a serious reaction within the person who is taking medication. Heart conditions and hot tubs are bad news because it dilates blood vessels, lowers or raises blood pressure depending on the individual as well as raises overall body temperature.

