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Acute effects of sauna bathing on cardiovascular function

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 32, pages 129–138 (2018)Cite this article

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank Timo Harvia and the staff of Harvia Oy for sauna test facilities of the research and the subjects for their dedicated participation in the study.

Fundings

This study was supported by the Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, Helsinki, Finland. Collaborators of the study project were Harvia Oy, Velha Oy, Pihlajalinna Clinic, Fintravel Oy, Finnish Sauna Culture Society and University of Eastern Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

    Tanjaniina Laukkanen & Jari A. Laukkanen

  2. Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Learning and Research 11 Building (Level 1), Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK

    Setor K. Kunutsor

  3. Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Francesco Zaccardi

  4. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Earric Lee

  5. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Peter Willeit

  6. Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Peter Willeit

  7. Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Hassan Khan

  8. Central Finland Health Care District, Department of Internal Medicine, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Jari A. Laukkanen

Authors
  1. Tanjaniina Laukkanen
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  2. Setor K. Kunutsor
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  3. Francesco Zaccardi
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  4. Earric Lee
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  5. Peter Willeit
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  6. Hassan Khan
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  7. Jari A. Laukkanen
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Correspondence to Jari A. Laukkanen.

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Laukkanen, T., Kunutsor, S.K., Zaccardi, F. et al. Acute effects of sauna bathing on cardiovascular function. J Hum Hypertens 32, 129–138 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-017-0008-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-017-0008-z

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