Sauna & Your Heart: How Heat Therapy Supports Heart Health During Heart Month
February is Heart Month – a time to bring more awareness to how we care for one of the most important muscles in the body: the heart.
When most people think of heart health, they think of cardio, nutrition, and stress management (all important!). But there’s another powerful tool that’s been gaining attention in the wellness and medical world:
Both
traditional and
infrared saunas can support cardiovascular health in surprisingly impactful ways.
At
Brickz Health & Wellness, we use heat therapy as part of a holistic approach to helping your body relax, recover, and function better – including your heart. Let’s break down how sauna use can support heart health and how to use it safely.
What Happens to Your Heart in the Sauna?
When you step into a sauna, your body warms up and your blood vessels naturally widen (vasodilation). This helps:
- Increase blood flow
- Improve circulation
- Gently raise your heart rate
- Mimic some of the effects of light to moderate exercise
Think of sauna sessions as a
“passive cardio” boost for your circulatory system. Your heart works a bit harder in a controlled, therapeutic way while you’re relaxing.
Potential Heart Health Benefits of Sauna Use
While everyone is different and sauna isn’t a replacement for medical care, regular sauna use has been associated with several heart-supportive benefits:
1. Improved Circulation
Heat causes your blood vessels to expand, allowing blood to flow more freely. Better circulation can help:
- Deliver more oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
- Support healthy blood pressure patterns
- Ease muscle tension and stiffness
2. Support for Healthy Blood Pressure
For many people, consistent sauna use can support healthier blood pressure over time by helping the body relax and encouraging vascular flexibility.
Paired with movement, hydration, and good nutrition, sauna becomes another supportive tool in your heart-health toolbox.
3. Reduced Stress Load on the Heart
Stress is a major factor in heart health.
Sauna sessions help activate your body’s relaxation response:
- Lower perceived stress
- Support better sleep
- Help calm the nervous system
When stress is managed, your heart doesn’t have to work quite so hard all the time.
4. Exercise Support & Recovery
Your heart benefits most when exercise + recovery work together.
Sauna after a workout can help:
- Relax tight muscles
- Promote blood flow to tired tissue
- Support recovery between training sessions
That means you can move more consistently – which your heart loves.
Traditional vs. Infrared Sauna: What’s the Difference?
At Brickz Health & Wellness, we offer
traditional and
infrared sauna options so you can choose what feels best for your body.
Traditional Sauna
- Heats the air around you
- Typically runs at higher temperatures
- Creates that classic “dry heat” sauna experience
- Great for people who enjoy a hotter, more intense session
Infrared Sauna
- Uses infrared light to heat the body directly
- Generally runs at lower air temperatures, but penetrates deeper into tissue
- More comfortable for those sensitive to intense heat
- Excellent for longer, more gentle sessions
Both can support circulation, relaxation, and cardiovascular wellness — the “best” one is often the one you’ll use consistently.
How to Use Sauna Safely for Heart Health
Sauna can be a beautiful tool for heart health, but like anything, it should be used with intention and awareness.
General Guidelines:
- Start with shorter sessions and slowly build up
- Hydrate before and after your session
- Listen to your body – if you feel lightheaded, overly flushed, or unwell, step out
- Avoid alcohol before sauna use
- Give your body time to cool down gradually afterward
Important:
If you have:
- Known heart disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- A history of fainting, dizziness, or cardiovascular issues
…you should
talk to your doctor before using sauna. We are here to support your wellness journey, but we always recommend partnering with your healthcare provider when it comes to heart conditions.
Pairing Sauna With Other Brickz Wellness Services
For even more heart and whole-body support, sauna can be combined with:
- Massage Therapy & Bodywork – to reduce stress and muscle tension
- Red Light Therapy – to support cellular health and mood
- Compression Therapy – to assist circulation and recovery
- Cold Plunge / Contrast Therapy – to train vascular resilience and boost energy
These combinations help support:
- A calmer nervous system
- Better blood flow
- Faster recovery
- A deeper sense of overall well-being
When your body feels supported, your heart does too.
