Regular saunas could save your life

A sauna does more than build up a sweat — it may extend your life. That was the finding of a large Finnish study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2015, led by Dr. Jari Laukkanen of the University of Eastern Finland.

The researchers followed 2,315 men aged 42 to 60 from eastern Finland — a region with a deep sauna tradition — for about 21 years, comparing death rates by sauna frequency. The results were striking:

• Sudden cardiac death was 22% lower for men taking 2–3 saunas a week, and 66% lower for 4–7 sessions, versus once a week.
• Fatal coronary heart disease was 23% lower (2–3 sessions) and 48% lower (4–7 sessions).
• Cardiovascular death was cut by 27% and 50% respectively.
• Death from any cause was 24% lower and 40% lower.

Longer sessions helped too: compared with men who stayed less than 11 minutes, those spending over 19 minutes in the heat had a 52% lower risk of sudden cardiac death.

The honest caveat: this was an observational study. It shows an association, not proof that saunas themselves add years — sauna regulars may also be healthier in other ways. As Dr. Rita Redberg, the journal's editor-in-chief, noted: "Although we do not know why the men who took saunas more frequently had greater longevity (whether it is the time spent in the hot room, the relaxation time, the leisure of a life that allows for more relaxation time, or the camaraderie of the sauna), clearly time spent in the sauna is time well spent."

Most experts advise against saunas for the very young or very old, during pregnancy, or with heat intolerance.

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Based on reporting by the Daily Mail on Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, February 2015.