They say water is life. The importance of water cannot be overemphasized. It will interest you to know that good hydration may prevent or slow down changes in the heart that lead to the condition.
Drinking eight glasses a water a day throughout your life could reduce the risk of heart failure 25 years later, according to new research.
The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2021, suggest that maintaining good hydration can slow down or even prevent changes within the heart that lead to heart failure. How much water is enough? The recommended amount of fluid for men is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
That includes all beverages (not just water) and even food; about 20 percent of your fluid intake comes from food.
The study mentioned Serum sodium level, this is a measurement of how much sodium is in your body. Why should you be concerned about serum sodium level? Because the more hydrated you are, the lower your serum sodium will be in your body. According to the authors, when people drink less fluid and the concentration of serum sodium goes up, the body attempts to save water, which then activates processes known to contribute to the development of heart failure.
Heart failure is when the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be. When a person has heart failure, the cells in the body don’t get enough blood, which can cause fatigue and shortness of breath, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
The study suggests that you should more water and limit salt consumption. It’s also important to check in with your doctor to review your lab work and health status to give you appropriate guidance.
Although hydration may play a role, it’s just one aspect in how to prevent heart failure.
It’s noteworthy that the most common risk factors for developing heart failure are still high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. These are absolutely very modifiable with a healthy diet, management of blood pressure, and avoiding excess toxins to the body.