In March 2018 researchers from the UK, USA and Finland published their study to assess the combined effect of cardiorespiratory fitness and frequency of sauna usage on the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. A total of 2277 men were included in the study. Information on sauna usage was collected and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed at study start. During an average follow-up of 26 years, 520 cardiovascular and 1124 all-cause deaths occurred. Results showed that the combined effect of a high degree of cardiorespiratory fitness and frequent sauna usage was associated with a substantial risk reduction in fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events when compared with high cardiorespiratory fitness or frequent sauna usage alone.
Kunutsor SK et al. Joint associations of sauna bathing and cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk: a long-term prospective cohort study. Ann Med. 2018 Mar;50(2):139-146