24 Feb Finnish Sauna May Be Heart Healthy

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Jari Laukkanen Cardiologist, MD, PhD
Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition
University of Eastern Finland
Kuopio, Finland

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Laukkanen: We have been studying many risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, and especially exploring protective factors of sudden cardiac death. In our qualified and well defined data on the KIHD prospective study, there were also many questionnaires about other health habits such as the use of sauna (how much, how often, temperature and so on). It was very logical to investigate further sauna use and the risk sudden cardiac death/CVDSs, because sauna is a part of our culture here in Finland. In this country, we have tradition to trust, that its healthy habit, although there are not previous studies showing the value of sauna in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. So we have to study this kind of health habit and CVVs in Finland based on our common traditions…

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Laukkanen: Sauna bathing is healthy especially for the heart. We will suggest to use of sauna in addition to many other health habits.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Laukkanen: Our findings would be generalized only to Finnish sauna (unfortunately), which is dry and relatively hot with hot rocks and water. It would be interesting to investigate this topic also in different populations using various types of saunas.

Citation:

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jari Laukkanen Cardiologist, MD, PhD (2015). Finnish Sauna May Be Heart Healthy
[wysija_form id=”1″]

Last Updated on February 24, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD