Sauna health benefits: Steam or infrared?
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Oct 21, 2025 · 14 min read
Both traditional (steam/hot-air) and infrared saunas can support cardiovascular health if they raise your body temperature enough to trigger vasodilation and a “passive cardio” heart-rate response (often ~100–150 bpm), but the strongest long-term outcome data come from Finnish-style saunas (70–100 °C), where 4–7 sessions per week was linked to a 63% lower risk of sudden ...