More than Relaxation? Saunas May Be Linked to Lower Stroke Risk

Taking frequent saunas may be linked to a lower risk of stroke, according to a study published in the May 2, 2018, online issue of Neurology^®. The study was conducted in Finland, where saunas originated and nearly every home has one.

“These results are exciting because they suggest that this activity that people use for relaxation and pleasure may also have beneficial effects on your vascular health,” said study author Setor K. Kunutsor, PhD, of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. “Sauna bathing is a safe activity for most healthy people and even people with stable heart problems. More research is needed to confirm this finding and to understand the ways that saunas affect stroke risk.”