A study published today in the American Journal of Medicine analyzes 130 studies of the health effects of saunas since 1966 and says that some beliefs about avoiding saunas aren t supported by medical evidence. Though sauna bathing causes some cardiovascular and hormonal changes, researchers say there s no evidence that it lowers fertility rates in either men or women or causes birth defects in babies born to healthy women. The studies suggest that a sauna is safe for many people with stable coronary heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, lung disease, rheumatic disease or skin disease. People who shouldn t use saunas, according to the study, are those with unstable angina, recent heart attack victims, people with narrowed arteries and women with high-risk pregnancies. And anyone who uses a sauna should not be consuming alcohol, the study said.
Alcohol increases the risk of heart rhythm problems and sudden death.
Amanda Miller writes for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. J. Foster Co.