Cold Showers Don’t Cause Strokes, Cardiologist Clarifies After Viral Claim

Cold showers have become increasingly popular for their potential health benefits, including improved circulation, enhanced skin appearance, and increased focus and mental clarity.

Viral Claim About Strokes

Recently, a video featuring a Norwegian cardiologist went viral, claiming that cold morning showers cause 74% of strokes in young men. However, Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, a Russian cardiologist specializing in heart failure and transplantation, has debunked this claim.

In an October 18 Instagram video, Dr. Yaranov said:

“Cold showers cause strokes? Let’s talk facts. I’ve seen this one making the rounds — a Norwegian cardiologist supposedly found that ‘cold morning showers’ cause 74% of strokes in young men. Sounds dramatic. It’s also… not true.”

What Really Happens

Dr. Yaranov explained the relationship between strokes and cold showers with these key points:

• Morning risk: Between 6–9 AM, blood pressure and clotting activity naturally rise, making strokes and heart attacks more common during these hours.

• Sudden cold exposure: Cold water can cause a reflex spike in blood pressure and heart rate, particularly in people with hypertension, vascular disease, or poor cardiovascular fitness.

• Healthy individuals: For most healthy people, cold showers do not damage blood vessels or trigger strokes.

Key Takeaway

Dr. Yaranov advised that while cold showers are generally safe, people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or those over 40 should consult their doctor before taking extreme cold exposure, especially early in the morning.

“Science > Fear. Education > Virality,” he concluded, emphasizing informed choices over viral misinformation.