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Journal of Human Hypertension (2018) 32:129–138
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-017-0008-z
ARTICLE
Acute effects of sauna bathing on cardiovascular function
Tanjaniina Laukkanen1●Setor K. Kunutsor2●Francesco Zaccardi 3●Earric Lee 4●Peter Willeit 5,6 ●
Hassan Khan7●Jari A. Laukkanen 1,8
Received: 1 July 2017 / Revised: 3 September 2017 / Accepted: 19 September 2017 / Published online: 21 December 2017
© Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer nature 2018
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests beneficial effects of sauna bathing on the cardiovascular system. However, the effects of sauna
bathing on parameters of cardiovascular function and blood-based biomarkers are uncertain. We aimed to investigate
whether sauna bathing induces changes in arterial stiffness, blood pressure (BP), and several blood-based biomarkers. We
conducted an experimental study including 102 participants (mean age (SD): 51.9 (9.2) years, 56% male) who had at least
one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants were exposed to a single sauna session (duration: 30 min; temperature: 73 °C;
humidity: 10–20%). Cardiovascular as well as blood-based parameters were collected before, immediately after, and after
30-min recovery. Mean carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity was 9.8 (2.4) m/s before sauna and decreased to 8.6 (1.6) m/s
immediately after sauna (p<0.0001). Mean systolic BP decreased after sauna exposure from 137 (16) to 130 (14) mmHg (p
<0.0001) and diastolic BP from 82 (10) to 75 (9) mmHg (p<0.0001). Systolic BP after 30 min recovery remained lower
compared to pre-sauna levels. There were significant changes in hematological variables during sauna bathing. Plasma
creatinine levels increased slightly from sauna until recovery period, whereas sodium and potassium levels remained
constant. This study demonstrates that sauna bathing for 30 min has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, BP, and some
blood-based biomarkers. These findings may provide new insights underlying the emerging associations between sauna
bathing and reduced risk of cardiovascular outcomes.
Introduction
Sauna bathing, a form of passive heat therapy, is commonly
used for relaxation and pleasure purposes [1,2]. Repeated
sauna therapy has been shown to increase left ventricular
ejection fraction and reduce plasma levels of norepinephrine
and brain natriuretic peptide and increase the 6-min walk
distance [3]. After 1 week of repeated sauna exposure
(twice a day) in 10 healthy male volunteers, diastolic blood
pressure (DBP) was shown to decrease substantially [4].
Warm water immersion, which is also a form of passive
heat therapy, is associated with health benefits that include
improved endothelial and microvascular function as well as
reduced arterial stiffness (AS) and BP [5,6]. Passive heat
therapy (hot tub) improves cutaneous microvascular func-
tion by enhancing nitric oxide-dependent dilation in
sedentary humans [5]. It has been demonstrated that sauna
exposure results elevations in core temperature and changes
in cardiovascular hemodynamics, such as cardiac output
and vascular shear stress, which are similar to the effects of
exercise, and thus may provide an alternative means of
improving health [6]. In a 2-week trial of once-a-day
infrared-sauna exposure for patients with cardiovascular
*Jari A. Laukkanen
jariantero.laukkanen@uef.fi
1Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of
Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
2Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University
of Bristol, Learning and Research 11 Building (Level 1),
Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
3Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University
of Leicester, Leicester, UK
4Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of
Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
5Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of
Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
6Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck,
Innsbruck, Austria
7Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
8Central Finland Health Care District, Department of Internal
Medicine, Jyväskylä, Finland
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article
(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-017-0008-z) contains supplementary
material, which is available to authorized users.
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