Longevity & AgingSauna Bathing Boosts Exercise Capacity and Muscle Function in Heart Failure Patients
The SAUNA-HFpEF pilot trial tested whether regular sauna bathing could help patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition with few effective treatments. Eighteen stable outpatients completed 10 weeks of supervised sauna sessions at 60°C, twice weekly. Peak oxygen uptake rose significantly, 6-minute walk distance improved, and quadriceps strength increased. Diastolic heart function, depression scores, and social functioning also improved. Muscle biopsies revealed anabolic and metabolic upregulation alongside reduced catabolism. Body fat declined continuously. However, gains in aerobic capacity reversed within three months of stopping sauna use, highlighting the need for ongoing practice. The intervention was safe with 97% adherence and no adverse events.
