Hydration and Your Heart

 

It is hard to live in this world of ubiquitous water bottles and not be aware of the importance of staying well hydrated. New findings suggest that consuming sufficient amounts of fluids throughout life not only supports essential body functioning but may also reduce the risk of severe heart problems in the future. Staying well-hydrated may be associated with a reduced risk for developing heart failure. 

Heart failure, a chronic condition that develops when the heart does not pump enough blood for the body's needs, affects more than 6.2 million Americans, a little more than 2% of the population. It is also more common among adults ages 65 and older.

The study, conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, MD and published in the European Heart Journal, found that people with a high serum sodium level in their blood, an indicator of chronic dehydration, were 54% more likely to develop heart failure in later years than those with normal serum sodium levels. Those with the most elevated serum sodium levels were twice as likely to develop a condition where the heart muscle becomes thickened and pumps blood less efficiently (ventricular hypertrophy).

What should you do? The study authors suggest that most people should consume four to six 8oz glasses of water every day. If you are younger, larger, or more physically active or if you live in a hotter, more humid environment, you probably need a bit more. Also, it need not literally be glasses of water. Juices, tea, coffee and many fruits and vegetables contribute to your intake. A simple way to remember? Keep one of those water bottles with you and sip on it through the day.