Case Study: Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events
Luxury products such as saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs have long been associated with providing the benefit of relaxation. These products are known to help calm the mind, provide deeper sleep and an overall feeling of peace, but there is also an increasing amount of research being conducted on what other benefits heat therapy might have on our bodies. Does regular use of a sauna or hot tub make us less likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack? Could weekly heat therapy cause us to be healthier 10, 20 or even 30 years from now? These are the types of questions that new research is trying to answer.
Connection Between Sauna Bathing and Cardiovascular Events
Interest in the topic of heat therapy grew rapidly when the University of Eastern Finland released a 30 year study on the positive effects that sauna bathing had on fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. This study was significant because it found positive health trends relating to sauna use for more than just a couple of months – they truly saw how heat therapy affected men over the course of 3 decades. The study included 2,315 men between the ages of 42-60 that lived in Finland, with testing being conducted from 1984-2011. The results show that in this test population of middle-aged men, an increase in frequency of sauna bathing was associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease and fatal cardiovascular disease.
Read the full study on sauna bathing here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2130724
While the results of this study cannot be directly applied to hot tub use, it is very interesting to see the positive effects that heat therapy had on the body. This study also inspired others to test similar effects on heart health with hot tub use. An 8-week clinical trial conducted by the University of Oregon concluded that hot water immersion (such as soaking in a hot tub) had widespread effects on vascular function and could prove to be a treatment option for improving cardiovascular health. Read our blog about it here. As always, please consult your personal care professional before using a hot tub or sauna for health reasons.
Overall, there are many reasons why having a luxury hot tub or sauna at home is appealing. From the hydrotherapy benefits to the calming capabilities, sitting and relaxing in heat therapy after a long day is very enjoyable. Seeing the positive benefits that a hot tub can have on your health is an added bonus to the already amazing experience of owning a personal spa.
*This article is not intended to treat or diagnose any individuals with cardiovascular conditions. The intent is to share research that is being conducted on the possible positive effects of soaking in hot water. We encourage you to speak with your own healthcare provider about what the best plan of action is for your particular needs.