Effect of Hot Spring Bathing on Nocturnal Blood Pressure at Kusatsu / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

The effect of hot spring bathing on nocturnal blood pressure was investigated in 6 normotensive young individuals at Kusatsu. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 1-hour intervals from 1800 one day until 1200 the following day. The experiments were performed on 2 consecutive days. Three subjects took a 10-minute 42°C hot-spring bath at 2000 on the first experimental day but did not on the second experimental day. The order of experiments was inverted in the other 3 subjects. While not statistically significant, the nocturnal blood pressure on the “bathing” day tended to be decreased more than that on the control day. However, there was no difference in the heart rate. These findings may suggest possible involvement of hot spring bathing in the initiation of thrombotic diseases occurred in the morning hours at Kusatsu.