Submitted by Dr. Cory Hewko

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer. By the time heart problems are detected, the underlying cause is usually quite advanced. Therefore, prevention is the key. One of the best ways to improve your cardiovascular system is with a far infrared sauna. It is reported that the regular use of far infrared sauna therapy may impart a similar stress on the cardiovascular system, and its regular use may be as effective for cardiovascular conditioning and burning of calories as regular exercise. The body reacts to this deep-heating result by means of hypothalamic-induced increase in both heart volume and rate. This positive heart stress leads to a desired cardiovascular training and conditioning effect.

According to the American Heart Association (2005), clinical trials have demonstrated that maintaining healthy blood pressure can dramatically reduce the risk of strokes by 35% to 40%, heart attacks by 20% to 25% and heart failure by over 50%.

During a far infrared sauna session, vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels occurs which increases heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate. This provides a workout for your heart as the body attempts to cool itself in diverting blood from internal organs to the extremities and the skin. Research also suggests that regular infrared heat therapy has been beneficial in reducing blood pressure.

I encourage everyone to be pro-active about their health and starting with Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) is one of the best ways to do this.