--- title: "Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and…" description: "More frequent and longer sauna bathing sessions are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html" type: "study" study_key: "sauna" journal: "JAMA Internal Medicine" year: 2015 pmid: "25705824" doi: "10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/sauna ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | JAMA Internal Medicine | | Year | 2015 | | PMID | [25705824](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25705824/) | | DOI | [10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187) | | Study key | sauna | ## Takeaway More frequent and longer sauna bathing sessions are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men. ## The question What is the association between the frequency and duration of sauna bathing and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality? ## Hypothesis The study aims to investigate the association of sauna bathing with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, as this relationship is currently unknown despite sauna bathing being linked to better hemodynamic function. ## Methods This was a prospective cohort study (Finnish Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study) involving 2315 middle-aged men (42-60 years) from Eastern Finland. Baseline examinations were conducted from March 1, 1984, through December 31, 1989, and the frequency and duration of sauna bathing were assessed at baseline. Participants were followed for a median of 20.7 years. ## Results During the follow-up, there were 190 SCDs, 281 fatal CHDs, 407 fatal CVDs, and 929 all-cause mortality events. Men who had 4 to 7 sauna sessions per week had a hazard ratio of 0.37 for SCD compared to those with 1 session per week, and similar inverse associations were found for CHD, CVD, and all-cause mortality. For duration, sessions lasting more than 19 minutes had a hazard ratio of 0.48 for SCD compared to sessions less than 11 minutes, with similar findings for fatal CHDs and fatal CVDs, but not for all-cause mortality. ## Conclusion Increased frequency of sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Longer duration of sauna bathing is also associated with reduced risks of SCD, fatal CHD, and fatal CVD. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study. It does suggest that further studies are warranted to establish the potential mechanism linking sauna bathing and cardiovascular health. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Increased frequency and duration of sauna bathing were associated with a reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. ## Sudden Cardiac Deaths by Sauna Bathing Frequency | Measure | SCDs (%) | | --- | --- | | 1 time/week | 10.1 | | 2-3 times/week | 7.8 | | 4-7 times/week | 5 | *Percentage of sudden cardiac deaths among men based on their reported frequency of sauna bathing.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Contrast Therapy Systems (Sauna + Cold + Light) | — | — | | Infrared & Traditional Saunas | — | — | | Cold Plunge & Ice-Bath Systems | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events** JAMA Internal Medicine 2015 · [PMID 25705824](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25705824/) · [DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187) > Increased frequency and duration of sauna bathing were associated with a reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html","name":"Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events","description":"More frequent and longer sauna bathing sessions are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/sauna.html#study","name":"Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events","headline":"Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events","datePublished":"2015","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"JAMA Internal Medicine"},"identifier":"PMID:25705824","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25705824/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187","abstract":"More frequent and longer sauna bathing sessions are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/cold.md) - [Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pbm.md) - [Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x14.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).