Concerned for heart disease? An hour a day in the hot tub might reduce the risks

Do you dream of going home at the end of a hectic day to find yourself in a hot bubble bath? Then, not only have you been pampering yourself well but also you have been bettering your health without even knowing so!How?Read on.A recent study suggests that, an hour kicking back in a tub was found to lower blood pressure and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes, the condition that affects more than four million Brits and raises the risk of a stroke or heart attack.The research involved 14 patients who sat in 40C water for one hour, eight to 10 times in a fortnight. Another study by Coventry University last year claimed hot tub soaks could be as good for you as a half-hour run. A 30-minute session appeared to boost circulation to the legs by four-fold and blood pressure and stress hormone levels tumbled.Experts suggest the technique could help people who are less mobile or unable to exercise reap some of the benefits.Dr Tom Cullen, who carried out the Coventry study, said, "Regularly using a Lay-Z-Spa offers an excellent way of providing a lifestyle modification that has many health benefits but, crucially, is something which people enjoy doing."Scientists at the University of Portsmouth said that increasing body temperature slightly can reduce how hard the heart has to work. And a decline in the demand for energy to keep the blood warm means – fewer calories need to be burned. As per the study author Dr Thomas James, “This means the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the body supplied with enough oxygen. When the heart is pumping less blood around the body, it also reduces the pressure inside our blood vessels. This is an exciting possibility for managing type 2 diabetes with heat therapy. We hope these findings could extend to improved well-being and blood sugar control, and better heart health for individuals with the disease. The exposure to hot temperatures made the body work better, not just while in the hot tub but days after they’d been immersed.” Soaking an hour a day in a hot tub has quite a few cardiovascular benefits, including:Improved blood circulation: The high temperatures in a hot tub cause blood vessels to dilate, which can improve blood circulation.Lower blood pressure: The pressure of the water on your body increases the heart's workload, which can raise the volume of blood your heart pumps. This can lower your blood pressure.Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: A 2020 study found that participants who took very hot baths regularly had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.However, one should consult with their doctor before using a hot tub as part of their wellness routine, especially if one has pre-existing heart conditions.