Can You Use a Sauna If You Have a Pacemaker?
Written by: Joel Gottehrer

Can You Use a Sauna If You Have a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a surgically implanted, battery-powered device typically placed underneath the skin on the upper-left chest, just under the collarbone. Its primary purpose is to regulate a person's heart rate, mainly by keeping it from beating too slowly.1

If you have a pacemaker or your healthcare provider has recommended one, you'll probably be given a list of activities and items to avoid that could interfere with the device—think high-voltage electrical equipment and anything with a magnetic field.2,3

What about exposure to high heat or humidity? Can you use a sauna if you have a pacemaker? Though sitting in a warm, steamy room might help you relax, anything that affects your heart rate could be a safety concern.

Keep reading to learn how saunas affect the body, why the type of sauna matters, and what people with pacemakers should know (and do) before using one.

How Saunas Affect the Body

Let's look at how saunas affect the body, particularly the cardiovascular response to heat exposure. It is important to note different types of saunas, since some saunas like infrared saunas work differently from traditional steam or dry saunas by using light-based heat to warm the body directly. Learn more about infrared saunas vs traditional saunas in our blog, or keep reading.

Heat Exposure & Cardiovascular Response

Heat exposure—whether from hot sunlight on a muggy day or from sitting in a sauna—puts stress on the cardiovascular system. It increases heart rate and calls for more oxygen, requiring the heart and lungs to work harder to regulate blood pressure.4

Excess heat can also lower cerebral circulation—the ability of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to get to the brain. Those with cardiac conditions should be cautious for these reasons. A pacemaker can help, but you'll still want to be cautious of your heart rate getting too high or too low in response to a very hot or steamy sauna.5


Can People with Pacemakers Use a Sauna?

In certain cases, it can be okay for people with pacemakers to use a sauna. Some research shows that regular sauna use can improve cardiac function for those with chronic heart failure, lower the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke, or even increase heart rate variability (HRV).6,7,8 Still, always check with your medical provider first before starting sauna therapy.

General Guidelines for Sauna Use

If your provider gives you the go-ahead with sauna use, here's what to keep in mind:

  • Temperature – You want to avoid excess heat exposure to prevent a drastic spike in blood pressure, as well as dehydration, which can decrease or raise blood pressure. Around 150 °F is best, and never above 180 °F.
  • Humidity – High humidity can strain the heart, possibly elevating heart rate. Low-humidity saunas are better for those with heart issues, such as a dry or infrared sauna.
  • Session duration – Keep your sauna sessions short (five to 10 minutes at first) to minimize stress on your body. Learn more in our blog about how often you should use an infrared sauna.
  • Electromagnetic interference – Check if the sauna you're using emits electromagnetic waves, as this could disrupt your pacemaker's ability to do its job.

When to Avoid Sauna Use

Your provider can offer personalized guidance on whether sauna use is safe. That said, it's generally not recommended (and potentially dangerous) for those with a severe or unstable heart condition. This includes angina (chest pain), untreated hypertension (high blood pressure), a heart valve disease like aortic stenosis (narrowed aortic valve), or a recent heart attack.9

Man using sauna

Infrared Saunas & Pacemakers

Instead of heating the air within a sauna, infrared saunas use special lamps to emit infrared light (invisible to the human eye) that penetrates the skin and warms up the body. This type of sauna is typically set to a lower temperature, which can be more comfortable and require less cardiovascular output.

Are Infrared Saunas Safe for Those with Pacemakers?

Some research shows that the demand on the heart and lungs from sitting in an infrared sauna is similar to walking at a moderate pace, which is considered safe for most people with pacemakers.10 Due to the lower temperature of infrared saunas, this type is often preferable for people with heart conditions. But again, always consult with a health professional.

If you're interested in reaping the benefits of infrared sauna therapy, check out Lifepro's collection of infrared saunas for a range of high-quality options to enhance your wellness journey. 

And while studies suggest many benefits, it’s still important to ask your healthcare provider if infrared saunas are safe for your specific health condition before beginning a routine. 

Magnet Concerns in Infrared Units

The main thing to be mindful of, however, is that the infrared light emitted by infrared saunas is a form of electromagnetic radiation. While most modern pacemakers don't usually have any significant interference with infrared lamps, these magnetic components could cause a disruption.11

If you're unsure, check with the sauna manufacturer, look up your specific pacemaker model, or ask your healthcare provider.

Traditional Saunas & Pacemakers

What about traditional Finnish saunas? This type generates dry heat with a stove and rocks. Water can be poured over the stones to create steam, which elevates the humidity.

What to Know About Finnish (Steam) Saunas

Small studies have shown that, under medical supervision, dry sauna use can increase heart rate variability (a good thing, as it means the heart is more adaptable to stressors and external stimulation). It might also improve heart rhythm disorders or lower blood pressure for patients with chronic heart failure.12,13

But while Finnish-style saunas may be safe or even beneficial for people with stable heart conditions, they still put stress on the cardiovascular system and aren't suitable for everyone. So, again, always get approval from your medical team before sauna bathing.

Essential Safety Tips for Pacemaker Users in Saunas

If you have a pacemaker and are considering using a sauna, safety should be top of mind. You're wise to keep sessions short, use a lower temperature, avoid high humidity, and be wary of dehydration.

We also recommend having a companion with you in case of an emergency and getting out of the sauna right away if you feel dizziness, lightheadedness, pain, or any discomfort.

Home sauna

Lifepro Saunas for Heart-Conscious Users

Saunas might be safe for people with pacemakers, but personalized medical advice is crucial. Consult your provider before using one, and follow their precautions.

Not all saunas are created equal. The type you choose matters, especially if you're managing a heart condition. Lifepro offers a range of accessibly priced personal saunas and portable options, like pop-up steam rooms, infrared mats, and sauna blankets—each designed with safety in mind.

We encourage our customers to check with their medical providers before using one of our saunas. You can also get in touch with the Lifepro support team to ask about electromagnetic safety.

 

Sources:

  1. Mayo Clinic. Pacemaker. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Permanent Pacemaker. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17360-permanent-pacemaker
  3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Living With a Pacemaker. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pacemakers/living-with
  4. Experimental & Clinical Cardiology. Beneficial effects of sauna bathing for heart failure patients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2359619/
  5. Comprehensive Physiology. Human Cardiovascular Responses to Passive Heat Stress. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4950975/
  6. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/S0735-1097%2801%2901824-1
  7. Journal of Human Hypertension. Acute effects of sauna bathing on cardiovascular function. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321976384_Acute_effects_of_sauna_bathing_on_cardiovascular_function
  8. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Recovery from sauna bathing favorably modulates cardiac autonomic nervous system. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919301943
  9. Brown Health University. Saunas and Your Heart: Is it Safe to Use a Sauna If You Have Heart Disease?. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/saunas-and-your-heart-it-safe-use-sauna-if-you-have-heart-disease
  10. Canadian Family Physician. Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2718593/
  11. Boston Scientific. Boston Scientific Electromagnetic (EMI) Compatibility Table for Pacemakers, Transvenous ICDs, S-ICDs and Heart Failure Devices. https://www.bostonscientific.com/content/dam/lifebeat-online/en/documents/BSC_Electromagnetic_Compatibility_Guide.pdf
  12. Circulation Journal. Effects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15564698/
  13. Physiology Journal. Cardiovascular and Thermal Response to Dry-Sauna Exposure in Healthy Subjects. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/106049
  14. Cleveland Clinic. Infrared Saunas: What They Do and 6 Health Benefits. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/infrared-sauna-benefits
Joel Gottehrer

AUTHOR

Joel Gottehrer

Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.

They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.