Doctor 24/7: Is it good to take a cold shower at night?

I have a habit of taking cold showers at night, because that is when I finish my work for the day. I have atrial fibrillation, will taking a shower at night affect my health? Thank you, doctor. (NL, in Ho Chi Minh City).

Dr. Cao Dang Khang, Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, answers: Hello! Bathing at night, especially bathing with cold water at night, is a habit of some people. However, this can have some negative effects on the body as follows:

Bathing in cold water at night can cause insomnia

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The temperature difference between the body and cold water can cause the body to lose heat, making people with weak immune systems susceptible to colds.

Sudden changes in temperature can affect the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, alter blood pressure and affect blood circulation, which can increase the risk of stroke.

Taking a cold shower late at night can cause difficulty sleeping.

Changes in blood pressure and heart rate can occur due to exposure to cold water, which is not good for people with existing heart disease and high blood pressure. In particular, if you have atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias can occur more easily, affecting your overall cardiovascular condition.

Therefore, to protect your health, bathing late at night, especially after 11pm and with cold water is not recommended. Instead, you should bathe in the morning, combined with exercise, to help your body feel refreshed, starting a new day. Or you can bathe in the afternoon to relax your body, regain energy after a day of work.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-24-7-bi-benh-tim-nhung-co-thoi-quen-tam-dem-co-sao-khong-185240104175256906.htm