Is Sauna Use Detrimental in Patients With Stable CAD?
Saunas have been associated with increases in heart rate, changes in systolic blood pressure and ventricular ectopy. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes have also been noted after patients have been exposed to the supraphysiologic temperatures in a sauna (usually greater than 80°C [176°F]). Giannetti and colleagues conducted a study to determine whether sauna use was well tolerated in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with known CAD, exercise-induced ST segment depression and reversible perfusion defects (on technetium-99m sestamibi scans) were included. Patients were excluded if they had a history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina or angioplasty within the previous three months. Patients with heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension or ventricular arrhythmias were also excluded. The study consisted of three visits. At one visit patients underwent a symptom-limited exercise stress test and nuclear scintigraphy. In the exercise stress test, time to at l
