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Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2001 June;160(3):105-10

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Cardiovascular diseases and balneotherapy: what is the real terapeutic use?

Rosati E., Aracri N., Bottone A., Cau C., Scotti E.

U.o.d. Divisione Medicina 4, Azienda Ospedaliera «San Giovanni-Addolorata» - Roma

Cardiovascular diseases and spa treatment is a subject that is neglected where it is not totally ignored by the literature owing to more or less evident economic interests. Nevertheless, during treatment, the initial phase of adaptation may lead to a veritable spa crisis generally between the 5th and 8th days with a consequent acute stage of the ongoing disease. The cardiovascular system, could therefore be affected negatively by the crenotherapeutic treatment which would lead to its interruption and a worsening of the clinical and haemodynamic conditions of the patient. The authors make a critical analysis of the therapeutic use of spas for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies, with the intention of identifying real benefits, potential risks and the contraindications involved in the light of recent studies that point more and more to treatment at spas as a valid non- pharmacological and alternative therapeutic instrument in numerous cardiac and vascular conditions.