Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) remains a leading cause of mortality among the adult population. Also known as coronary artery disease (CAD) this condition takes the lives of many individuals despite being a condition that is both treatable, as well as preventable, with the correct combination of pharmacological care and lifestyle adjustments. A well studied adjunct treatment for IHD is sauna therapy in combination with exercise in addition to several other lifestyle adjustments. (1)
It is no secret that the consistent use of a sauna can improve many cardiovascular diseases. In fact this has been well documented throughout the past several decades. A recent review of a plethora of studies, data bases, and research was compiled in November of 2025 to demonstrate how effective sauna bathing may be in the treatment of IHD.
The assembly of this information gathers together both large as well as more remote studies to systematically outline a detailed analysis of the effects of specific heat therapies on IHD. This lengthy review is critical because it gives the basis to begin a more robust use of saunas in clinical settings when treating IHD. Why is this important? It is important because despite many advancements in medicine IHD continues to be a leading cause of death among the global adult population.
When it is considered how accessible a sauna session could be for many individuals coupled with the depth of healing properties afforded through a sauna session for cardiovascular disease, it is a wonder why there are not saunas on every street corner!
Find out for yourself the key biochemical changes that occur inside the body to make sauna a leader in alternative and adjunct treatments of IHD. Saunas may feel like a recreational activity, but the reality is that this fun and easy to use apparatus has the power to heal and save lives when used often enough.
If you are on the fence about what source of heat to use for your sauna, then you can relax as you find out that the data strongly supports a multitude of heat sources including both traditional and infrared saunas, depending on your unique proclivities and needs. Cross cultural uses of heat therapy throughout history clearly demonstrates that there are a variety of effective heat sources for your sauna. If you are looking to lower your risk of IDH or to treat it, then you can worry less about how you heat your sauna, and more about ensuring that you are using your sauna as frequently as possible (4-7 times per week)!
What is Ischemic Heart Disease?
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) continues to be a leading threat to human life and increases with age. This disease is characterized by a build up of fatty residue on the artery walls. Over time these fatty deposits increase in size and limit the available space for oxygen to move to the myocardium.
*The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart. (2)
Essentially, IHD limits necessary oxygenation of the largest muscle in the heart, which is why it can be so deadly. According to a highly esteemed review of the data and research on IHD and sauna use published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘The Role of Sauna Bathing in Ischemic Heart Disease: A Narrative Review of Therapeutic Potential, Physiological Mechanisms, and Emerging Clinical Applications’ (1) IHD is described by the authors here.
“Ischemic heart disease (IHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is characterized by the progressive and cumulative buildup of fatty deposits called atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, which leads to significant narrowing of the arterial lumen and consequently results in a substantial reduction of blood flow and oxygen delivery to the myocardium.” (1)
The authors of this review move through all of the available literature, research, and data from peer reviewed journals to create a single document that outlines the exact ways in which a sauna can help resolve the global epidemic of IHD. The authors of this review insist on the urgency to find more ways to treat and prevent IHD when they write.
“Ischemic heart disease (IHD) continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among the general adult population.” (1)
It is not for lack of effort in the field of medicine that IHD continues to threaten the lives of billions of individuals, but rather, there is a call to act upon the knowledge accumulated over the years. Perhaps to move beyond traditional medicine and consider the value that the use of alternative therapies may have in the treatment of IHD.
“Despite remarkable advancements in diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiology, and pharmacologic therapies, IHD continues to represent a persistent and evolving public health challenge, affecting millions of individuals globally and placing a tremendous and escalating strain on healthcare systems, economic productivity, and clinical resources. Growing evidence suggests that beyond traditional medical and surgical interventions, novel and adjunct lifestyle-based strategies may play a significant role in reducing this global burden.” (1)
Saunas may play a critical role in the advancement of medicine and specifically in the prevention and treatment of IHD.
What Role Does Sauna Play in the Prevention and Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease?
- Blood Vessel Function & Vascular Tone
- Increase the Health of Artery Walls
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Autonomic Nervous System Attunement
- Reduce Oxidative Stress
- Relieve Chronic Inflammation
Sitting back in a sauna as the snow falls down around you sounds dreamy, or perhaps slipping into a warm infrared sauna at the back of your spa to melt your cares; most recollections, or imaginations of a sauna experience feel recreational and luxurious. The truth is that the sauna is so much more than a fun way to relax: It is a vessel that when used correctly can save lives, and treat the leading cause of death in adults.
How is it possible that the warmth of a sauna can cause such a profound biological change in humans so that it is considered a treatment option for the very serious condition of IHD?
The heat from a sauna induces the thermoregulatory response in a human. Humans, unlike any other animals, have the capacity to cool themselves off through perspiration. In order for this biological event to occur the resources of the respiratory and cardiovascular system are summoned. Below the surface of these biological activities every cell and molecule of the body undergo physiological changes to cool the body off. Once the heat stress is removed all of these biochemical reactions can then be harnessed or redirected toward healing the body instead of continuing to cool the body off and protect it from heat. This dose of appropriate heat stress is called hormesis.
In the case of IHD, many of the responses to heat as experienced in a sauna, directly aid in treating many of the causes for the expression of this disease.
The review published by the National Institute of Health entitled ‘The Role of Sauna Bathing in Ischemic Heart Disease: A Narrative Review of Therapeutic Potential, Physiological Mechanisms, and Emerging Clinical Applications.’ (1) outlines the various biological responses to the heat from a sauna that cause an improvement in cases of IHD.
The authors outline the benefits here.
“The proposed benefits include increased vascular function, lower blood pressure, and improved cardiac performance. Thus, sauna therapy could be considered as an adjunctive intervention for patients with IHD.” (1)
Additionally, the authors outline several other cardio-protective mechanisms that result from the consistent use of a sauna. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Vasodilation, improved health of the artery walls, lowered blood pressure, autonomic nervous system attunement, lowered oxidative stress, and reduction of chronic inflammation. (1)
Vasodilation and Blood Vessel Function
It is well known that the use of a sauna improves blood flow even after a single sauna session. The heat from the sauna causes a reaction in the body that elicits the widening and the relaxation of the blood vessels, this is known as vasodilation. It is the antithesis to vasoconstriction, and can help to reduce blood pressure even after a single sauna session. Improvement of blood vessel function and lowered blood pressure is among the first ways that saunas can help to prevent or treat IHD.
Arterial Stiffness & Artery Wall Health
IHD is characterized by the build-up of fatty spots along the artery walls. By improving the health of the arteries, blood and therefore oxygen is able to be delivered to the muscles in the heart without restriction. The authors of the review write this about saunas and artery health.
“Sauna bathing has been consistently shown to exert significant and clinically meaningful beneficial effects on arterial stiffness and blood pressure, both of which are essential parameters in maintaining optimal cardiovascular health.” (1)
When blood pressure is lowered from improved vasodilation and arterial flow there is less stress placed on the myocardial space, and in turn the risk of death from IHD declines. The direct impact that sauna use has on the health of the heart muscle, blood vessels, and artery walls are not the only reason why they are so helpful in cases of IHD. (1)
Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
As many individuals imagine, the experience of a sauna can ultimately relax the body. Initially, the response to the heat of a sauna is not relaxing for the autonomic nervous system, but the ultimate experience after the rise and decline in temperature, is a deep state of relaxation. Heat therapy works directly with the autonomic nervous system, which plays an integral role in IHD.
The authors of the review write this about the autonomic nervous system response to sauna.
“Sauna bathing triggers a well-characterized biphasic autonomic response, initiated with immediate sympathetic nervous system activation upon heat exposure, followed by substantially increased parasympathetic activity to maintain physiological homeostasis.”
Once the body is able to recoil back into states of parasympathetic dominance or relaxation blood pressure goes down naturally along with heart rate.
“During the post-sauna recovery period, parasympathetic activity becomes progressively dominant, leading to a profound calming effect on the cardiovascular system, as evidenced by a significant heart rate reduction (average drop from 77 to 68 beats per minute in a study of 93 people, indicating substantially improved autonomic balance.”
Continuing in states of high stress or sympathetic dominance puts an extreme stress on the heart, and finding a way to transfer out of these states effectively, such as in a sauna, is critical in the prevention and treatment of IHD.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation of the body coupled with oxidative stress are significant accelerators for IHD. The authors of the review on IHD write this about inflammation, oxidative stress and IHD.
“Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are well-established contributors to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and IHD. (1)
The authors further investigate how saunas can help to relieve both inflammation and oxidative stress.
“Emerging evidence suggests that regular sauna bathing may exert cardioprotective effects by modulating these pathological pathways, potentially reducing both inflammatory burden and oxidative damage.” (1)
There is further evidence from a Finnish study that demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between the increase of sauna sessions per week and the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The authors of this study entitled ‘Longitudinal associations of sauna bathing with inflammation and oxidative stress: the KIHD prospective cohort study’ (3) write that as sauna sessions increased to 4-7 times per week so too did the anti-inflammatory biomarkers.
“A study on Finnish sauna bathing demonstrated that men who engaged in sauna bathing four to seven times per week had significantly lower levels of hsCRP, a key marker of inflammation, as well as reduced leukocyte counts, compared to those who used the sauna only once per week. This inverse relationship between sauna frequency and circulating inflammatory markers, such as hsCRP and leukocyte count, suggests that reduced systemic inflammation may serve as a key mechanistic link between frequent sauna use and the observed lower risk of both acute and chronic diseases.” (1,3)
Furthermore, oxidative stress is reduced by increased exposure to heat stress in a sauna. Oxidative stress erodes the health of the artery walls, so in finding ways to improve conditions of IHD it is imperative to reduce oxidative stress.
The findings from our primary review paper in conjunction with this publication from the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Passive heat therapy protects against endothelial cell hypoxia‐reoxygenation via effects of elevations in temperature and circulating factors’ (4) describe how exposure to a sauna can lower oxidative stress and enhance the health of the cells of the artery walls.
“Oxidative stress, caused by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), leads to endothelial dysfunction and arterial damage, promoting IHD. Heat therapy offers protection by enhancing the body’s resistance to oxidative stress. Regular sauna bathing has also been associated with reductions in oxidative stress, further contributing to its protective properties in IHD.” (1,4)
Finally, the release of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) in a sauna can help reduce oxidative stress throughout the entire body. HSPs are protein chaperones and help to ensure that the intracellular space is healthy and clear of free radicals. Specifically, HSP 70 does wonders for reducing oxidative stress and enhancing the health of those living with IHD. Here is what the authors of our review teach us.
“Heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70, play a crucial role in mediating the cardiovascular protective effects of thermal stress. HSP70 is a chaperone protein induced by various cellular stresses and has been recognized for its involvement in preventing atherosclerotic CVD. These proteins confer cytoprotective effects through enhanced protein folding, reduced oxidative stress, and modulation of inflammatory signaling cascades.” (1)
The multifaceted nature of the effects of a sauna session on human physiology culminate to create an excellent adjunct therapy for those currently living with IHD, or those looking to avoid developing IHD. Here are the authors concluding remarks from the review.
“This review highlights sauna bathing, particularly Finnish and far-infrared types, as a valuable non-pharmacological adjunct for IHD, providing cardiovascular benefits such as vasodilation, improved endothelial function, enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability, reduced blood pressure, and decreased inflammation and oxidative stress.” (1)
If you are looking for practical ways to begin incorporating sauna bathing into your daily life, then you will naturally wonder what type of sauna to use.
What Type of Sauna to Use in the Treatment and Prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease Traditional or Infrared?
There is a lot of debate about what style of sauna is the best. Many highly regarded public figures claim that the benefits of sauna can only be derived from one style of sauna over another. Such discussions are largely foolish and tend to represent financial gain rather than real data. There is a slightly larger database of studies on Finnish saunas because they are more widely used in Scandinavia, and for this reason many individuals will quote studies that involve traditional saunas. There is, however, a growing body of research using far infrared saunas. The results show that the source of heat does not matter nearly as much as some influencers would have you believe.
In fact, the reputable review on sauna use and IHD states that the use of either styles of saunas are effective in preventing or treating IHD.
“The studies showed that with consistent usage of Finnish or far-infrared saunas, patients with IHD gain better hemodynamic stability, endothelial function, autonomic balance, and anti-inflammatory activity.” (1)
Choosing a style of sauna that suits your needs, financial resources, and desires, is what matters most. There is a strong body of research that supports a variety of heat sources including both traditional saunas and infrared saunas. The authors of our analyzed review really accentuate this point when they write about a wide range of different sauna styles here.
“This ancient therapeutic modality has transcended cultural boundaries and is now practiced worldwide, with various adaptations and modifications to suit different populations and preferences. There are several common sauna modalities, including traditional Finnish dry saunas, infrared saunas, and Waon therapy. Each of these approaches offers distinct characteristics in terms of heat delivery mechanisms, temperature ranges, and physiological responses, allowing for personalized selection based on individual tolerance and therapeutic goals.” (1)
Depending upon your needs and desires, choose a style of sauna that works best for you. There are some considerations to be made if you are in need of infrared light to heal other conditions, or if you experience a strong sensitivity to heat via the skin, such as in cases of MS. If this is the case infrared saunas tend to be a better option, though you can receive equally wonderful results for cardiovascular health when using a traditional sauna.
Combine Sauna With Regular Exercise In Treating Ischemic Disease For Best Results
Ideally, most adults in the world would use a sauna of some style 4-7 times per week to prevent IHD, and in addition they would combine this with some form of exercise. Even if you are using a sauna regularly, this does not mean that you can skip out on exercise. Though if exercise is prohibitive, a sauna can be a great substitute.
The authors of our focused review do state that the combination of sauna and exercise is ideal.
“The integration of sauna bathing with conventional exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation represents a promising therapeutic strategy that capitalizes on complementary physiological mechanisms. ..The combination of exercise-induced mechanical stress and sauna-induced thermal stress appears to produce amplified cardiovascular benefits that exceed those achievable through either modality alone.” (1)
When looking to treat or prevent IHD it does not matter what style of sauna you choose to use as long as it gets you hot and sweaty for at least 20 minutes. These results are compounded over time, so try to get in the sauna 3-7 times per week over the course of decades. Take days and even weeks off as needed. Remain hydrated with electrolytes and eat a healthy nutrient rich diet.
Use a sauna as an addition to your treatment for IHD, not as a substitute. If you are already on prescribed medication do not stop taking this, but always consult with your medical care professional before beginning any sauna protocol.
Improve your heart health with the use of a sauna, and make sure that you invite your friends and family!
Sources Cited:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12714005/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/myocardium
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229920305161
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6187037/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33309175/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025619618302751
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0828282X20305808