A Heart Journal study published in 2020 by the British Cardiovascular Society examined the relationship between tub bathing and cardiovascular disease. This study followed over 30,000 people for nearly 20 years and asked if frequent hot bathing influenced cardiovascular health.

The study determined that those who frequently bathed had a lower association with hypertension. This suggested a beneficial effect of tub bathing is a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease based on the relationship to high blood pressure.

Heat soaking increases core body temperature and cardiac contractility, similar to what happens to your body during exercise. Exposure to heat increases cellular production of something called heat shock proteins and in particular heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Hsp90 plays many cellular roles within the body, the cardiovascular relationship is involved with endothelial nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase where it assists with vasorelaxation of smooth muscle.

While it is exciting to suggest that taking hot baths may offer protection against heart disease (after all who doesn’t enjoy a nice relaxing hot bath?), perhaps the association was due to the fact that those who took daily baths also had other heart healthy habits. The study found that those who took frequent baths were more likely to be non-smokers, employed, had better sleep hygiene, less likelihood of diabetes (thus likely healthier diets), exercise frequently, worked in an office (steady reliable income) and ate a larger proportion of fish, fruit and vegetable. So it seems that daily hot baths are just part of the program that keeps your heart healthy.

It is important to note that hot bathing can increase the risk of heatstroke, or exacerbate various medical conditions. If you have underlying medical conditions or are pregnant, Please consult with your chiropractor or physician before starting a regime of heat bathing. None of the information provided on this website should be substituted for medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed healthcare practitioner. This information is simply for interest and readers are invited to follow the citation links to learn more.

Citation

Antonova G, Lichtenbeld H, Xia T, Chatterjee A, Dimitropoulou C, Catravas JD (2007). "Functional significance of hsp90 complexes with NOS and sGC in endothelial cells". Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. 37 (1–2): 19–35. PMID 17641392. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28.

Ukai T, Iso H, Yamagishi K, et al. Habitual tub bathing and risks of incident coronary heart disease and stroke

Heart  Published Online First: 24 March 2020. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315752