People with high blood pressure or heart disease are usually advised against using hot saunas. The Finns suggest that moderate sauna bathing poses no health to risk people in these groups, defining "moderate" as keeping the temperature under 90°C (194°F) and avoiding rapid changes from hot to cold or vice versa.

Now Japanese researchers are suggesting that sauna treatment improves hemodynamics and symptoms in people with congestive heart failure. In one study, they provided daily sauna treatment at 60° (150°F) for two weeks. At the end of that period, clinical symptoms were improved in 17 of the 20 patients and markers of cardiac function showed improvement as well. In another study, the same researchers reported improved endothelial function among men with coronary risk factors after two weeks of sauna therapy.

People with unstable angina, recent heart attack and severe arterial disease should not use the sauna. Alcohol consumption during sauna bathing increases the risk of hypotension, arrhythmia and sudden death in anyone and should be avoided.

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Sources:

• Kihara T, Biro S, Imamura M, et al. Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, March 2002;39(5):754-759. (Abs.)
• Imamura M, Biro S, Kihara T, et al. Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, October 2001;38(4):1083-1088. (Abs.)
• Hannuksela ML, Ellaham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. American Journal of Medicine, February 2001;110(2):118-126. (Abs.)
• The Finnish Sauna Society. Sauna and Health. www.sauna.fi