Not only are infrared saunas calming and relaxing for the body and mind, they are also proven to be good for your heart health (Cullen et al. 2020). Recent studies have connected the use of regular heat exposure therapies with a reduction in the risk of heart disease and fatal cardiovascular disease.
Scientists from a Finnish University tracked the health outcomes of 2,315 men over 20 years, finding that those who took saunas regularly had a dramatically lowered risk of sudden cardiac death and fatal coronary heart disease (Laukkanen et al. 2015).
Finland is a country where there are 5.3 million people and 3.3 million saunas (Bosworth 2013), with 99% of their adult population taking a sauna at least once a week. Saunas are seen as an integral part of Finnish culture, and have been used in the region for pleasure and health for thousands of years (Bosworth 2013).
The passive heat of an infrared sauna can offer improvements in blood vessel health and a reduction in high blood pressure. Both of these health outcomes, resulting from long-term, regular heat therapy, is a significant contributor in the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease (Laukkanen et al. 2015).
Next time you have a restorative infrared sauna session, you can relax in the knowledge that the health benefits are more than skin deep, perhaps even having lifesaving effects on your heart.
Be in touch to see how we can support you in your infrared sauna journey towards improved heart health.
Infrared Sauna Repairs, Melbourne, Australia
+61 0499 826 814
One of our custom made infrared saunas, in Melbourne, Australia.
References
Bosworth, Mark 2013 ‘Why Finland loves saunas’, BBC News, accessed 8 July 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24328773
Cullen, T, Clarke, ND, Hill, M, Menzies, C, Pugh, CJA, Steward, CJ & Thake, CD 2020, 'The health benefits of passive heating and aerobic exercise: To what extent do the mechanisms overlap?', Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 129, no. 6, 2020/12/01, pp. 1304-1309.
Laukkanen, T, Khan, H, Zaccardi, F & Laukkanen, JA 2015, 'Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events', JAMA Internal Medicine, vol. 175, no. 4, pp. 542-548.