Simple activity that lowers blood pressure better than exercise

A new study shows that a 30-minute hot bath can improve circulation and lower blood pressure more effectively than moderate-intensity physical activity, such as cycling.

According to Ambassador Arjan, quoted by Independent, previous researches show that the very tiny blood vessels under the skin play a key role in maintaining the core body temperature and heart health. These vessels, called "microvessels," help regulate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste by delivering blood to the tissues. Also, these vessels help regulate temperature by dilating and allowing more blood to flow near the surface of the skin when the body heats up and help dissipate more heat to the environment.

Exercise also makes this process possible by improving the function of the endothelium - a thin layer of cells that covers the inner wall of blood vessels.

However, how the body responds to passive heat without physical activity, especially in overweight or obese older adults who find it difficult to exercise, is not well understood.

A new study investigated the effects of warm water and moderate-intensity exercise on the microvessels of 25 adults (obese and overweight) between the ages of 45 and 70.

Participants were physically inactive (less than 150 minutes of scheduled exercise per week) and had a resting blood pressure greater than 90.140 mmHg and a resting heart rate less than 100 beats per minute.

They participated in two sessions in random order with a time interval of at least 72 hours. In the first session, they were placed in 40°C water for 30 minutes. In another session, they were asked to ride a stationary bike for half an hour at moderate intensity (equivalent to 60 to 70 percent of their maximum heart rate).

In both sessions, the researchers monitored the heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure of each participant. They also used a non-invasive method called "optical coherence tomography" to produce detailed images of the tissues; The method that allowed to estimate the diameter of small blood vessels, the speed of blood flow in them and the volume of blood flow.

Researchers found that exposure to hot water causes immediate changes in the blood vessels under the skin; In this way, the vessels are widened and more space is created for blood flow. Also, a hot water bath after 30 minutes caused a greater reduction in blood pressure than moderate intensity cycling.

According to the researchers, although hot water baths cannot replace exercise, this study provides solutions for people who have difficulty in doing physical activities.

Frequent immersion in warm water can improve some indices of blood vessel function and potentially complement routine exercise programs for sedentary adults.

"These data support further research on hot water immersion as a practical intervention," the study states. "Especially for people who have limited ability to do regular sports."