Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease
IntroductionHeat therapy (HT), particularly in the form of whole-body sauna bathing, has emerged as a promising intervention for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Passive HT can induce both local and systemic physiological responses, primarily through repeated thermal stress consisting...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1537194/full |
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| author | Sergio Sastriques-Dunlop Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed |
| author_facet | Sergio Sastriques-Dunlop Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed |
| author_sort | Sergio Sastriques-Dunlop |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHeat therapy (HT), particularly in the form of whole-body sauna bathing, has emerged as a promising intervention for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Passive HT can induce both local and systemic physiological responses, primarily through repeated thermal stress consisting of short-term passive exposure to high temperatures. Such responses closely parallel the physiological adaptations observed during aerobic exercise. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) poses significant health challenges, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Supervised exercise is considered a cornerstone therapy for PAD, yet many patients face significant health-related barriers that complicate its broad implementation.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to explore the therapeutic implications of various HT practices beyond sauna. The review aimed to evaluate the potential use of these practices as adjunctive management strategies for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with PAD.ResultsRecent studies have demonstrated the potential role of HT in alleviating PAD symptoms, improving functional capacity, and reducing cardiovascular and limb events. HT practices might be beneficial as adjunctive management strategies, in addition to or as alternatives to exercise, for management of cardiovascular diseases.DiscussionThis review highlights the potential benefits, underlying mechanisms of action, challenges, and safety considerations associated with HT. We emphasize the importance of exploring HT as a viable option for patients with cardiovascular conditions, particularly those with PAD, who face barriers to traditional exercise regimens. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e1f45bffb7ce417e960a1e288301dda6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2297-055X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-e1f45bffb7ce417e960a1e288301dda62025-08-20T02:58:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-03-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.15371941537194Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial diseaseSergio Sastriques-Dunlop0Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto1Mohamed A. Zayed2Mohamed A. Zayed3Mohamed A. Zayed4Mohamed A. Zayed5Mohamed A. Zayed6Mohamed A. Zayed7Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United StatesSection of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesSection of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDivision of Molecular Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDivision of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Surgery, Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, MO, United StatesIntroductionHeat therapy (HT), particularly in the form of whole-body sauna bathing, has emerged as a promising intervention for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Passive HT can induce both local and systemic physiological responses, primarily through repeated thermal stress consisting of short-term passive exposure to high temperatures. Such responses closely parallel the physiological adaptations observed during aerobic exercise. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) poses significant health challenges, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Supervised exercise is considered a cornerstone therapy for PAD, yet many patients face significant health-related barriers that complicate its broad implementation.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to explore the therapeutic implications of various HT practices beyond sauna. The review aimed to evaluate the potential use of these practices as adjunctive management strategies for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with PAD.ResultsRecent studies have demonstrated the potential role of HT in alleviating PAD symptoms, improving functional capacity, and reducing cardiovascular and limb events. HT practices might be beneficial as adjunctive management strategies, in addition to or as alternatives to exercise, for management of cardiovascular diseases.DiscussionThis review highlights the potential benefits, underlying mechanisms of action, challenges, and safety considerations associated with HT. We emphasize the importance of exploring HT as a viable option for patients with cardiovascular conditions, particularly those with PAD, who face barriers to traditional exercise regimens.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1537194/fullperipheral arterial diseasecardiovascular diseaseheat therapysauna bathingcardiovascular healthexercise therapy |
| spellingShingle | Sergio Sastriques-Dunlop Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Mohamed A. Zayed Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine peripheral arterial disease cardiovascular disease heat therapy sauna bathing cardiovascular health exercise therapy |
| title | Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| title_full | Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| title_fullStr | Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| title_short | Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| title_sort | sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease |
| topic | peripheral arterial disease cardiovascular disease heat therapy sauna bathing cardiovascular health exercise therapy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1537194/full |
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