Study from Finland on sauna use and cardiovascular risks

A study from Finland, conducted by Jari Laukkanen and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), examined the effects of sauna use on cardiovascular health. The study, involving middle-aged participants from eastern Finland, found an inverse relationship between sauna use and the risk of fatal coronary heart disease events and all-cause mortality. Specifically, it noted that men who used the sauna two to three times a week had a 27% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality, and those who used it four to seven times a week had a 50% lower risk, compared to those using the sauna once a week 1.

This research also adjusted for various risk factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, cholesterol levels, type two diabetes, socioeconomic status, and physical activity, ensuring that the results specifically highlighted the benefits of sauna use rather than other healthy lifestyle habits 1.

Furthermore, spending more than 20 minutes per session in the sauna was associated with greater cardiovascular benefits. The study used traditional Finnish dry saunas, typically around 79°C (174°F) 2. These findings suggest regular sauna bathing as a potentially effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk.