During the New Year holiday, 56-year-old Mr. Zhang joined his family for a "hot spring celebration." Midway through soaking, he suddenly experienced palpitations and chest tightness. His family rushed him to the hospital, where tests revealed high-temperature-induced heart palpitations.
Mr. Zhang, who suffers from hypertension and coronary heart disease, prolonged his stay in the hot spring, overburdening his heart and triggering the episode.He emphasized that individuals with hypertension or heart disease risk discomfort if they don't observe proper hot spring etiquette.
Hypertension and heart disease patients should only enjoy hot springs while adhering to regular medication and maintaining controlled blood pressure. When bathing, remember the "Three Controls and Three Avoidances":
Control Time: First-time bathers should limit sessions to no more than 10 minutes, gradually extending duration after acclimation.Avoid exceeding 15 minutes per session to ensure adequate cardiac blood supply and prevent chest tightness or pain. Control temperature: Excessively hot water increases cardiac strain, potentially causing palpitations or shortness of breath. Water temperatures between 38°C and 40°C are optimal. Control depth: Avoid immersing above the chest level to prevent cardiac overload.
Avoid Massage: Hot spring bathing accelerates blood circulation. Simultaneous massage further increases cardiac strain. Avoid Rapid Standing: Most bathing is done seated, causing lower-body blood vessel dilation. Rapid standing may reduce cerebral blood supply—particularly in seniors. Mild cases may cause dizziness or headaches; severe cases risk falls. Rise cautiously and slowly.Avoid bathing on an empty stomach: Refrain from bathing before meals or after drinking alcohol. Wait at least one hour after eating before entering the bath.
Hot Spring Precautions
Before Entering the Bath
1. Remove all metal jewelry before bathing, as minerals in the water may cause chemical reactions that discolor or damage the items.
2. Avoid bathing on an empty stomach or after a heavy meal to prevent dizziness, nausea, indigestion, or fatigue.Note: Before entering the water, gently wipe your body with the hot spring water to acclimate. Avoid sudden immersion to prevent disrupting normal vascular contraction. When exiting, rise slowly to prevent dizziness or falls caused by vasodilation and blood pressure drop, which could trigger stroke or myocardial infarction. 4. Individuals with cancer or leukemia should avoid hot springs to prevent stimulating metabolism and accelerating physical decline.
5. Diabetics may bathe in hot springs when blood sugar is well-controlled and vital signs stable. Unstable blood sugar may cause dehydration from excessive sweating in hot springs, leading to blood sugar fluctuations. Additionally, most diabetics have peripheral neuropathy, causing abnormal sensations in palms and soles with reduced temperature sensitivity. Prolonged immersion may result in scalding without awareness.
6. Individuals with skin wounds, ulcers, or fungal infections like athlete's foot or eczema should avoid hot springs to prevent water contamination and wound deterioration. Those with allergic skin conditions should also steer clear of high-temperature springs, as accelerated moisture evaporation and compromised skin barriers may trigger hives.
7. Women should avoid hot springs during menstruation, early pregnancy, and late pregnancy.
8. Avoid hot springs when fatigued—such as after sleep deprivation, late nights, malnutrition, or recent illness—to prevent cerebral ischemia or shock from sudden exposure to high temperatures.
9. Never bathe alone to prevent accidents.
During Soaking
1. When entering the water, start with lower temperatures and gradually move to hotter ones, soaking for 15-20 minutes each time.
3. Drink plenty of water during bathing to replenish lost fluids.
4. As facial pores release large amounts of free radicals that can damage skin, apply a face mask or cold towel to the face while bathing. Keep eyes closed, adopt a meditative mindset, and practice slow, deep breathing to truly relieve physical and mental stress.
5. If you feel unwell while bathing, exit immediately. Do not persist.
Post-Bathing Precautions
1. Generally, rinsing with clean water after bathing is unnecessary. However, if you soaked in strongly acidic or hydrogen sulfide-rich waters, rinsing is recommended to prevent skin irritation and allergic reactions.
2. After bathing, stay warm and dry off thoroughly, paying special attention to skin folds like the armpits, groin, navel area, and limbs. Apply moisturizing lotion promptly to lock in skin hydration.
Individuals with heart disease or hypertension should keep regular medications and emergency supplies close at hand and avoid bathing alone. She further recommends that hot spring resorts maintain stockpiles of cardiac emergency medications like Suoxiao Xuexian Wan.