For most healthy adults the sauna is very safe. The risks come mostly from alcohol, dehydration and staying in too long.
Alcohol plays a part in many sauna accidents: it makes fainting, an irregular heartbeat and falls more likely.
Get out if
You feel dizzy, nauseous, get a headache or your heart pounds unusually. Stand up slowly when you leave: your blood pressure can drop and make you light-headed.
Sit somewhere cool, drink some water and rest until you feel normal again. Avoid going in alone, so someone can help if you feel faint.
Ask your doctor first if
You have a heart condition, very low or uncontrolled blood pressure, a fever, are pregnant, or take beta-blockers, diuretics, stimulants or other medicines that affect blood pressure or sweating. Never use the sauna after drinking alcohol.
Sources
- Kukkonen-Harjula K., Kauppinen K. Health effects and risks of sauna bathing. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 2006.
- Laukkanen J. A. et al. Cardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018.
General information, not medical advice.
