In March 2018 researchers from Finland, USA and the UK published the results of their study to assess the combined effect of sauna usage and cardiorespiratory fitness on the risk of sudden cardiac death. A total of 2291 men, aged 42-61 years, 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, 226 sudden cardiac deaths occurred. Results showed that the combined effect of high aerobic fitness (as measured by cardiorespiratory fitness) and frequent sauna usage was associated with a substantially reduced risk of sudden cardiac death when compared with high cardiorespiratory fitness or frequent sauna usage alone.
Laukkanen JA et al. Combined Effect of Sauna Bathing and Cardiorespiratory Fitness on the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Caucasian Men: A Long-term Prospective Cohort Study. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Mar – Apr;60(6):635-641