5 Surprising Ways Drinking Water Benefits Your Heart Health

Water plays a vital role in the human body, making up 60-70% of an individual’s weight. It is crucial for various bodily functions such as digestion, absorption, transportation, elimination, and circulation of biomolecules, as well as maintaining body temperature. When dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can strain the heart and increase the risk of heart disease.

As the temperatures soar, staying hydrated becomes crucial for optimal heart health. Proper hydration helps the heart pump blood quickly through the vessels to the muscles and enables muscles to function efficiently. According to John Batson, M.D., a sports medicine physician and American Heart Association volunteer, “When the body is well hydrated, the heart doesn’t have to work as hard.” 

This goes hand-in-hand with research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2021 (Ref. Link). It stated that maintaining proper hydration throughout one’s life can decrease the risk of developing heart failure. The author, Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), emphasized that “good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure.” In summary, the study suggests that keeping the body hydrated can slow down or even prevent the changes in the heart that lead to heart failure.

We have outlined below the five ways in which drinking water can have an impact on your heart.

1. Reduced the risk of heart attack: Drinking enough water can help prevent heart disease by reducing the risk of a heart attack. Drinking water can improve the elasticity of blood vessels and blood flow throughout your body. This reduces the risk of blood clots.
2. Lower blood pressure: Proper hydration can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing hypertension. When the body is dehydrated, the blood volume decreases, which causes the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood. This increases the pressure on the blood vessels, leading to higher blood pressure. Drinking enough water helps to maintain an adequate blood volume and reduce the strain on the heart.
3. Reduced strain on the heart: When dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can stress the heart and increase the risk of heart disease.
4. Prevent left ventricular hypertrophy: Studies show that good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure.
5. Reduced Inflammation: Drinking enough water tackles inflammation throughout the body, which is a contributing factor in the development of heart disease.

So How Much Water Do You Need?

Being well-hydrated means having adequate water in the body to support its functions. The amount of water a person needs varies based on climate, clothing, and exercise intensity and duration. People who sweat heavily or have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may need to drink more water. Medications that act as diuretics can also cause the body to lose more fluid, making you reach out for a glass of water more often. 

Does Thirst Always Indicate Dehydration?

Thirst is not always the best indicator of hydration needs. A better way to gauge hydration levels is by looking at the color of your urine. Clear and pale urine is a sign of good hydration, while dark urine indicates a need to drink more fluids.

To determine the specific amount of water needed, one can weigh themselves before and after exercise to see how much water loss occurs through perspiration. It’s best to replenish a pint of water for every pound of sweat lost. Athletes training in hot weather may lose 5 pounds or more of sweat during practice, so it is essential to stay hydrated. Not sweating during physical activity can be a warning sign of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Together with hydration, we recommend a Smart Heart Monitor such as the Frontier X2. 

Top Tips to Stay Hydrated Through A Busy Day

1. Carry a water bottle: Keep a bottle with you throughout the day and fill it with drinkable water on the go.
2. Add flavor: If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink to add some flavor. There are various options to infuse the water. 
3. Drink before, during, and after exercise: Stay hydrated before, during, and after physical activity to replenish fluids lost through sweat.
4. Distinguish thirst from hunger: Drink water when you feel hungry, as thirst is often mistaken for hunger. 
5. Set reminders: To help you remember to drink water, set reminders to drink at specific times, such as when you wake up, at meals, and before bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.
6. Choose water in restaurants: When you go out to eat, choose water as your drink, it will keep you hydrated, and it’s free!

Frequently Asked Questions :

Can drinking water lower your risk of heart disease?

Drinking enough water can help lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the risk of a heart attack. Adequate hydration can also help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and preventing heart failure.

How much water should you drink for heart health?

The amount of water you should consume for heart health varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age, sex, weight, and activity level. However, a general guideline is to drink at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water daily. Pay attention to your body’s thirst signals and urine color. Pale and clear urine indicates good hydration, while dark urine indicates dehydration. Drinking more water in hot weather or when sweating a lot (working out, running, or cycling) is also vital.

What kind of water should you choose to maintain heart health?

When it comes to heart health, plain, clean, and safe drinking water should be your go-to. It’s also important to be mindful of drinking water that contains added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other chemical additives. These can be detrimental to heart health.

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore:

Heart Rate Monitor Device | Heart Health Tips | Cycling for Healthy Heart | Normal Resting Heart Rate | Running Heart Rate
Low Carb Diet | Heart Palpitations After Eating | Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation | Persistent Atrial Fibrillation | Arrhythmia Causes

Frontier X2:

Smart Heart ECG Monitor in USA | ECG Machine Price in India | Best Heart Rate Monitor UK