Effects of sauna bath on heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Plain-language summary
This study set out to review the evidence on whether sauna could help people with heart failure. It pooled data from nine studies, seven of which were included in a meta-analysis, focusing on infrared sauna at 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 minutes followed by a 30-minute rest, done five times a week for 2 to 4 weeks. The analysis found improvements in markers of heart function, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (a marker of heart strain), cardiothoracic ratio (a measure of heart size relative to the chest), and left-ventricular ejection fraction (how well the heart pumps blood). For blood pressure and heart chamber size, no relationship was found. The study concluded that infrared sauna offers short-term benefits for heart function, and that long-term effects and the impact of Finnish saunas remain untested.
Key findings
- Infrared sauna improved B-type natriuretic peptide levels.
- Infrared sauna improved cardiothoracic ratio.
- Infrared sauna improved left-ventricular ejection fraction.
- For left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter and blood pressure, no relationship was found.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Meta-analyses pool data from multiple studies to identify patterns, but the strength of the findings depends on the quality and consistency of the included studies.
- Population
- The study focused on patients with heart failure.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Takeaway
- This study found that in people with heart failure, infrared sauna improved markers of heart function over 2 to 4 weeks. If you have heart failure and want to try sauna, it may be worth raising with your doctor first, because the trials used a specific infrared routine at 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) rather than a hot Finnish sauna.