CHD risk

In 1984, Tanjaniina Laukkanen, MSc from the University of Eastern Finland and colleagues from Emory University and Catholic University in Rome, Italy, began a study of the relationship between the use of saunas and the risk of death from heart-related causes.
The May 29, 1999, issue of the British journal The Lancet includes a thoughtful letter from two physicians in the state of Washington who pondered how to respond when a patient asks "Doctor, is wine good for my heart?" Studies conducted in many parts of the world have consistently shown an association between the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and a decrease in the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This relationship has been observed in both men and women and in different age, ethnic, and geographic groups. It is independent of dietary and other known risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking and obesity.