Health and the sauna

Sweating in the sauna is good for the heart

Regular sauna baths reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (cardiac arrest) and other fatal heart diseases, a recently published Finnish study shows. The study was designed to examine risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition to well-known factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and high blood lipids, sauna habits were also studied, since earlier studies had shown positive effects on blood circulation and the heart from sauna bathing. In the Finnish study (the Finnish Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study), 2,315 middle-aged (42–60 year old) men from eastern Finland were studied. The patients were divided into groups according to how often they bathed; 1, 2–3 or 4–7 times per week, and for how long; less than 11, 11–19 or more than 19 minutes. The men were followed for just over 20 years. The results showed that an increased number of sauna sessions and time spent in the sauna reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death and death from cardiovascular disease. Among men who bathed 2–3 times per week the risk of sudden cardiac death was 22% lower, and at 4–7 times per week 63% lower, compared with those who bathed once a week. The risk of sudden cardiac death was 52% lower among those who bathed more than 19 versus less than 11 minutes. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease fell by 50% in the group that bathed 4–7 sessions compared with one session per week. The number of sauna baths reduced the risk of death from all causes by 40% at 4–7 sessions compared with one bath per week. The authors conclude that sauna bathing is protective against the risk of sudden cardiac death and other fatal cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged men. The sauna was once called "the poor man's pharmacy" and was used as a sickroom, since it was regarded as the cleanest and warmest room. It is unclear whether it is the heat, the relaxation, the social fellowship or the lifestyle of sauna bathers that makes them live longer. Whatever the reason, time spent in the sauna appears to be well-invested time.

Laukkanen T, Khan H, Zaccardi F et al. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Intern Med, 2015. Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. Am J Med. 2001;110:118–126. Hans Hägglund, medical advisor, Swedish Sauna Academy; department head, senior consultant and associate professor, Uppsala University Hospital.