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Hot Baths May Ease PAD Pain
20 Oct
Summary
- Hot tub therapy is being studied for peripheral artery disease relief.
- Participants sit in 40C water for 8 weeks, three times weekly.
- One participant climbed a steep hill after heat therapy sessions.
Specialists are examining if routine hot baths can offer relief for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting one in five individuals over 60. This British Heart Foundation-supported trial involves participants sitting in swimwear in 40C water for 40-minute sessions, three times weekly for eight weeks. The goal is to restore circulation to the legs and lessen pain, which commonly strikes after short distances.
Early findings from the Manchester Metropolitan University-led study are encouraging. One participant, Ken Heywood, 75, reported being able to climb a steep local hill, describing it as a significant achievement. He hopes the heat therapy proves effective so it can be made available to more people.
PAD develops when arteries narrow due to fatty material buildup, most often affecting the legs and causing pain during walking. Researchers hope this heat therapy will improve quality of life, especially since the pain can make recommended exercise difficult. However, experts advise consulting a GP before altering bathing routines, as prolonged hot water immersion can lower blood pressure.
