Although saunas are known for being hot and relaxing, a Finnish study released Monday suggested that they could also improve heart health and lead to a longer life. The study said that men who frequently visited a sauna had reduced risks of fatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

Authors of the study explored the association between sauna sessions and the risk of fatal coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death, fatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in a group of 2,315 middle-aged men from eastern Finland.

The results showed that the risk of sudden cardiac disease was 22 percent lower after two or three sauna visits per week and 63 percent lower for four to seven sauna visits per week compared to one visit per week.

The risk of fatal heart disease was 23 percent lower for two or three visits each week and 48 percent lower for four to seven visits each week compared to one visit each week.

The risk of death from cardiovascular disease was 27 percent lower for men who had two or three sauna sessions per week and 50 percent lower for men who had four to seven sessions per week compared to one session per week.

When the researchers investigated dying from any cause, they discovered that two or three sauna sessions per week was associated with a 24 percent lower risk. The amount of time spent in the sauna seemed to matter as well. Staying in the sauna for roughly 20 minutes was more beneficial than staying in for 10 minutes.

Some studies have suggested that sauna bathing and better cardiovascular function are linked. However, editor-in-chief of JAMA International Medicine, which published the study, Rita F. Redburg said that the association between risk of fatal cardiovascular disease and frequent sauna visits is unknown. But,  spending time in the sauna is “time well spent.”

Lead author Dr. Jari Laukkanen said that the humidity and high temperature could cause physiological changes in the cardiovascular system. But, Laukkanen agreed with Redburg and said that “further studies are warranted to establish the potential mechanism” that ties time spent in the sauna to cadiovascular health.