The vascular response to acute sauna heating is similar in young and middle-aged adults

Abstract

Sauna therapy has been shown to improve cardiovascular health and function in older adults and individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Specifically, improvements in vascular function have been reported and have been attributed to the increased hemodynamic stimuli on the vasculature associated with thermal stress. The present study quantified this hemodynamic response to a sauna protocol associated with improved cardiovascular health across the lifespan. Our data show that middle-aged adults have the same shear rate and blood flow response to sauna as young adults.