When Dr. Richard Gillum, DDS, left the hospital after suffering a severe heart attack, his prognosis was grim. His heart’s ability to pump blood out to the body, known in medical terminology as an ejection fraction, was impaired. At 7%–10%, it was dangerously below a normal ejection fraction of 50%–70%. 

For most, this would signal the beginning of the end. For Richard, it marked the start of an extraordinary journey from an inevitable end to vibrant health with his Sunlighten far-infrared sauna. 

The Wake-Up Call

Richard ran his own dental practice in Indiana for decades. A dedicated medical professional, he cared for his patients’ teeth and is also an expert in sleep disorders dentistry.  

After losing his wife, who battled severe diabetes and high blood pressure, he started to pay attention to  his own health. Persistent thirst and unexplained weight loss led him to check his blood sugar with his late wife's glucometer. The number that flashed back at him — 440 — was a stark sign that something was wrong. A subsequent A1C test revealed an off-the-chart reading of 17 — a very high blood sugar level that is a risk for heart attack. His blood pressure was extremely high at 201/102. 

His health spiral didn't stop there. One day while on a walk, Richard felt unusual fatigue, stiffness in his neck, and tightness in his shoulders. A bystander suggested he was having a heart attack, but Richard brushed it off, attributing it to physical exhaustion from recent yard work. The next morning, he woke up drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe. Only then did he seek medical help. 

Diagnosis: Heart Attack

At the hospital, Richard was diagnosed with a severe heart attack. He was intubated, stabilized, and fitted with a pacemaker. When he regained consciousness, doctors delivered devastating news: the damage to his heart was extensive, and without significant intervention, he wouldn't survive for more than a few weeks to months. Sleepless, fearful and anxious, he suffered severe neuropathy, night sweats, and movement intolerance. 

"They told me to get my affairs in order, to gather my family, and enjoy what time I had left," Richard recalls. 

The Turning Point

Richard began researching relentlessly. His exploration led him to the concept of metabolic cardiology, introduced by Dr. Stephen Sinatra, which emphasized the heart’s need for energy to function optimally. As a medical professional, Richard found hope in this new insight that heart failure is often an energy crisis, not just a mechanical failure. This revelation shifted his perspective: if he could restore his heart's ability to produce energy, perhaps he could heal.

The infrared sauna benefits were almost immediate. Within days, he noticed improvements in his energy levels, breathing, and overall well-being. As he continued, his ability to walk longer distances returned, his chronic fatigue vanished, and his outlook on life brightened. 

Infrared sauna therapy: the Waon approach

Richard didn’t know it then, but he was practicing a form of infrared light therapy from Japan. Waon (pronounced “wah-on”) therapy is a structured, low-heat, infrared sauna therapy developed to improve cardiovascular health.  

Richard became a living validation of what research was showing: that using an infrared sauna can improve the lives of people with chronic heart failure and reduce chances of death by 50%. Studies have shown that regular infrared sauna use can enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and even improve heart function. In Japan, this type of therapy is a standard of care for heart disease.  

“My current sauna is a new Sunlighten Amplify full-spectrum infrared sauna. I closely follow the Waon protocol with an increase in time: 140 degrees for 30 minutes. This sauna is so efficient I would never go beyond 45 minutes.” 

“One of the great benefits is improvement in sleep. I cannot stress enough that to heal, you must have adequate quality sleep,” Richard said.  

Richard also shared that insulin resistance and diabetes-related changes can affect the glycocalyx, a protective lining that helps regulate function and inflammation inside blood vessels. Infrared light therapy has been clinically studied for its potential to improve these functions. By addressing his insulin resistance symptoms through diet, exercise, and infrared therapy, Richard was tackling the root causes of his heart issues. 

Grounding, or earthing, also became part of his daily routine. Walking barefoot on grass helped him reconnect with natural electrical currents, which he believes improved his sleep and reduced inflammation. 

“I also monitor my ability to gradually rehydrate during the day before bed. Dehydration elevates resting heart rate during sleep and reduces heart rate variability. Two important metrics that should be followed when you have heart failure.” 

Results that defied the odds

Richard's commitment paid off. His blood sugar normalized; his A1C dropped to 5.4, and he says he no longer requires diabetes medication. His heart function improved dramatically, allowing him to walk for miles, ride his bike, and live without the debilitating symptoms of heart failure. 

His doctors were astonished. The man they had written off as a terminal case was thriving. His persistence in challenging conventional wisdom about chronic illness highlights the body's incredible ability to heal when given the right support. 

“One of the most damaging influences on the heart is stress. Saunas are a valuable stress reduction tool. Use this time to relax and restore. Use this time to restore balance,” advises Richard.  

Infrared sauna for heart health: what Richard wants others to know 

Richard is passionate about using an infrared sauna to heal the heart.   
 
"There are so many people who could benefit from this knowledge but never hear about it. Infrared therapy isn’t just a luxury. It’s a life-saving tool. 

My path continues. I continue to learn much about the healing gift of light, the structuring of water, and in particular infrared sauna. I owe my life to my sauna and the opportunity it gave me to thrive and learn so many things to heal my heart. I love my Sunlighten sauna like a dear friend.” 

His story is a testament to resilience, the power of infrared light, and the importance of questioning the status quo. It’s a reminder that even when the odds are stacked against you, hope, knowledge, and determination can rewrite your story. 

This article shares one person’s experience and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before using infrared therapy or sauna heat, especially if you have heart disease, are managing diabetes/insulin resistance, or are recovering from a cardiac event.