Why do I feel like I'm going to pass out in the sauna?

Author: Percy Mosciski DDS  |  Last update: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the legs by gravity, which causes low blood pressure and may result in fainting.

Why do I feel like passing out in the sauna?

Fainting is normally caused by a body position dependent drop in blood pressure and thus a lack of oxygen to the brain. Blood vessels dilate in the sauna heat and blood packs to the lower body more than normal. Upper body and particularly head oxygen intake diminishes.

Why do I feel like I'm suffocating in a sauna?

You may feel as if you're not getting enough air, that the hot air is difficult to breathe in, and your heart rate goes up dramatically. But! That's something you get used to fairly quickly, go 10-20 times for four 10-15 and I promise you'll feel much more relaxed once the body gets used to the hot environment.

Why do I feel like I'm going to pass out after a hot shower?

Having a hot or prolonged shower/bath widens your blood vessels, increasing the risk of feeling faint (presyncopal) and increasing heart rate. If you do feel faint in the shower listen to your body, turn the shower off and sit down to avoid injury in case you faint. Finishing your shower with cool water may help.

Is fainting from heat normal?

It's more common to see people faint in the summer months because when the weather is warmer, our bodies don't need to pump so much blood around, resulting in lower blood pressure. People who are on blood pressure lowering medication are more at risk, because in the heat their blood pressure might drop too low.

Why do I feel faint in a hot shower, or when I stand up too quickly?

How to prevent passing out in heat?

By drinking adequate liquids, individuals decrease their chance of succombing to exertional heat illnesses. Additional ways to prevent heat syncope include avoiding alcohol, avoiding exposure to warm environments, wear clothing that blocks the sun's rays, and exercising during cooler times of the day.

Can steam make you pass out?

The phenomenon of vasovagal syncope explains why these events occur, with gravity causing blood pooling in the lower limbs, and the combination of hot water leading to additional blood pooling in the skin. The resulting drop in blood pressure can lead to light-headedness and, in severe cases, fainting.

What are bad signs after fainting?

Some jerky movements may occur, especially if the person is still sitting or slouched with their head higher than their body. When coming round after a faint, the person often feels awful, sickly and may vomit, or even have diarrhoea. Often there is prolonged fatigue after a faint.

Why do I feel hot and like I'm going to pass out?

Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the legs by gravity, which causes low blood pressure and may result in fainting. Symptoms that could lead to heat syncope (fainting) include: Feeling faint or light-headed. Pale, cool, and moist skin.

Can you faint from dehydration?

If you don't replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated. Dehydration leads to fainting spells by reducing your circulating blood volume, making it harder for the body to deliver adequate blood to your vital organs including your brain.

Can sauna make you feel ill?

While these are all significant risk factors and guidelines, it's most important for you to avoid staying in the sauna if you feel dizzy, overheated, or dehydrated. By leaving the sauna the moment you feel unwell, you will prevent injury.

Is it OK to lay down in the sauna?

As already mentioned: The higher up you sit down/lie down, the hotter the temperature is. At the start of your sauna, it is recommended that you lie on the bench and therefore expose your body to an equal amount of heat.

Should I put a fan in my sauna?

Should I Put a Vent in my Sauna? Though vents are not required for proper sauna function, the option brings added comfort to your sauna routine by evenly distributing airflow. Proper venting ensures that you have fresh oxygen and that warmth from your sauna distributes evenly throughout the structure.

Who should not use a sauna?

Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis. Sauna bathing is safe, however, for most people with coronary heart disease with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction.

How long should you wait to sleep after fainting?

How long should you wait to sleep after fainting? It is generally safe to sleep after fainting, but you should make sure you are lying down in a safe position. Also, drink plenty of fluids to help rehydrate your body.

Should I go to the ER after fainting?

However, it may be indicative of underlying health conditions, such as low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, hypoglycemia or stress, so the person should seek follow-up medical attention. If someone faints or appears to be fainting, call 911 or your local emergency number.

How to stop yourself from fainting when you feel it coming on?

If you feel like you're about to faint, try to:
  1. lie down with your legs raised – if you cannot do this, then sit with your head lowered between your knees.
  2. drink some water.
  3. eat something.
  4. take some deep breaths.

What are the red flags of syncope?

Syncope events are preceded by prodromal symptoms like blurred vision, diaphoresis, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and then leads to bradycardia, decreased blood pressure, and then lose consciousness. Patients appear pale to the onlookers.

What are the 3 warning signs of fainting?

The symptoms of a faint include: dizziness. light-headedness. a pale face.

How to prevent passing out while exercising?

Prevention
  1. increasing the intensity of workouts gradually.
  2. avoiding pushing the body too hard.
  3. practicing regular breathing during exercises.
  4. considering doing Pilates or yoga, as these activities can teach people how to regulate their breathing.
  5. drinking plenty of fluids before, during, and after workouts.

Does drinking water help syncope?

During the first 30 minutes of tilt, 8 of 22 subjects without water experienced presyncope but only 1 of 22 who had ingested water (P=0.016). Water drinking attenuated the heart rate increase associated with tilt (P<0.001) while accentuating the increase in total peripheral resistance (P=0.012).

Why do I feel hot then pass out?

Heat syncope can be caused by blood pooling in the legs if a person has been standing still for a long time in a hot environment. It can also be caused by vigorous physical activity for 2 or more hours before the fainting happens.

What juice is good for dizziness?

Drinking lemon juice helps to maintain the energy level and lower dizziness, as lemon is rich in Vitamin C and has helped in decreasing dizziness. Vitamin-rich foods like berries, tomatoes, and green vegetables should be a part of your diet.

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