Sauna Frequency and Heart Death Risk: What a 20-Year Finnish Study Found
Finnish men who used a sauna 4-7 times a week had 63% lower sudden cardiac death risk than once-a-week users.
This article walks through the JAMA Intern Med (2015) paper in plain English: what was studied, what changed, what the limits are, and what it does not prove. Full citation and DOI link are at the end, with a PubMed record.
What the study found
The Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease study followed 2,315 middle-aged Finnish men for a median of 20.7 years, recording how often and how long they used a sauna at baseline. Researchers adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and compared fatal heart events and deaths.
Compared with one session a week, 4-7 sessions a week were associated with a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death (HR 0.37), with similar trends for fatal heart disease, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. This was an observational study of Finnish men, so it can't prove that the sauna itself caused the difference.
Key finding (from the study record): 4-7 sessions/week vs 1: sudden cardiac death HR 0.37; all-cause mortality events 30.8% vs 49.1% (unadjusted); similar trends for CHD/CVD.
How the study was done
- Design: Prospective cohort (KIHD), 20.7-year median follow-up
- Who was studied: 2,315 Finnish men aged 42-60
- Journal / year: JAMA Intern Med (2015)
- First author: Laukkanen T et al.
From the abstract: IMPORTANCE: Sauna bathing is a health habit associated with better hemodynamic function; however, the association of sauna bathing with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality is not known. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of frequency and duration of sauna bathing with the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We performed a prospective cohort study (Finnish Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study) of a population-based sample of 2315 middle-aged (age range, 42-60 years) men from Eastern Finland.
What it means — and what it does not
Useful takeaway: Finnish men who used a sauna 4-7 times a week had 63% lower sudden cardiac death risk than once-a-week users.
Limits and caveats: Observational; Finnish sauna culture; healthy-user bias likely; men only.
This evidence can inform a conversation with a licensed provider. It is not a guarantee of similar results for you, and it is not a recommendation to start, stop, or change any medication on your own.
Related research we cite
- Sauna bathing is inversely associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged Finnish men — Age Ageing (2017); also on PubMed. Takeaway: Men who used a sauna 4-7 times a week had about 66% lower dementia risk over 20 years.
How this connects to care
Heart health and hormones overlap, which is why blood pressure, lipids and hematocrit are part of TRT monitoring. See TRT and heart health and does TRT raise blood pressure?. TRT is $149 a month in 90-day terms ($447 per term, or $357.60 if you pay the 90 days up front). Initial labs are included; follow-up labs are billed separately. See pricing for the full list.
Relevant pages on this site:
FAQ
What did this study actually find?
Finnish men who used a sauna 4-7 times a week had 63% lower sudden cardiac death risk than once-a-week users. The design was: Prospective cohort (KIHD), 20.7-year median follow-up. Population: 2,315 Finnish men aged 42-60.
Is a sauna safe if I have a heart condition?
This study can't answer that for any one person. Heat affects blood pressure and hydration, so men with a heart condition, or on medications that affect either, should ask their own clinician first.
What are the main limits of this evidence?
Observational; Finnish sauna culture; healthy-user bias likely; men only.
Does sauna use affect testosterone?
This study didn't measure testosterone or any other hormone, so it can't answer that. For what's known about heat and hormones, see our post on whether Arizona heat lowers testosterone.
Keep reading
- Does TRT Raise Blood Pressure? What Arizona Men Should Know
- TRAVERSE Trial: Does TRT Raise Heart Attack Risk? What the Data Show
- TRT and Heart Health: Is Testosterone Safe for Your Heart?
- Does Arizona Heat Lower Testosterone? Summer Tips for Men
Reference
Laukkanen T et al. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Intern Med. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187 · PubMed 25705824.
Next step
Book a free consult with an Arizona-licensed provider. Bring your questions — including anything this study raised for you.
TRT is $149 a month in 90-day terms, with initial labs included. See pricing for prepay and follow-up lab details.
Talk to a licensed provider. Results vary. Not medical advice.
Talk to a licensed provider. Results vary. Not medical advice.
