Heart failure is a chronic cardiac health concern that occurs when the heart fails to pump ample blood for the body’s requirements. It commonly affects populations of all ages; however, adults 65 and older are more prone.
“Similar to reducing salt intake, drinking enough water and staying hydrated are ways to support our hearts and may help reduce long-term risks for heart disease,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., the lead study author and a researcher in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH.
As the National Institute of Health published, drinking ample water and staying well-hydrated may be associated with minimal risk of developing heart failure and heart health issues. The European Heart Journal also suggests that consuming sufficient fluids (including drinking water) in the long-term facilitates essential body functions and reduces severe heart problems.
The Role of Water in Cardiovascular Function
Water constitutes 50 to 80 percent of the human body. It is significant beyond mere presence, as water plays an essential, daily role in numerous bodily functions. Among its critical responsibilities is maintaining proper hydration levels related to cardiovascular health. Consumption of clean water -staying hydrated - help reduce or even prevent severe heart problems and ease cardiovascular functions. More on this below.
Dehydration: A Potential Risk Factor for Heart Disease
Well-hydrated individuals can efficiently eliminate waste through various channels such as urination, bowel movements, and perspiration. When dehydration occurs, there is a reduction in the amount of blood circulating throughout the body pumped by the heart. In response, the heart pushes to compensate by accelerating heartbeats, resulting in an increased heart rate. This cardiac activity prompted by inadequate hydration places excessive stress on the heart, which needs to pump more than usual and increases heart rate along with its unpleasant or alarming sensation. Thus, the importance of adequate water intake and hydration becomes evident for both overall wellness and heart health, minimizing the risk of heart failure.
Hydration Strategies for a Healthy Heart
A well-hydrated body helps the heart pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles more efficiently and eases regular body functions with efficient muscle work. Dehydration could be a serious health condition that could turn into severe health conditions, from swollen feet or a headache to life-threatening illnesses such as heart failure. Here are a few hydration strategies to stay hydrated for a healthy heart.
1. Start the Morning with a Glass of Water
Water helps to regulate our metabolism, delivering a natural energy boost. If nocturnal urination or heartburn troubles you, you can avoid water just before bedtime. Hydration tactics like this can easily set a tone of vitality for your day and ensure a more restful night’s sleep.
2. Use Alarms or App Notifications to Remind
One can use technology and a smartphone to set alarms or app notifications as a reminder throughout the day. Additionally, you can get help from your Siri, Alexa, or Google AI assistants to keep a check on you, along with verbal and positive encouragement to stay hydrated.
3. Focus on the Body's Signs and Requirements
Make sure you do not ignore your body signs and drink ample water whenever you feel thirsty. Avoid getting confused if the body is thirsty or hungry; drink pure water when it is calling for food.
4. Keep a Check on Urine Color
Monitoring your urine color can be a very effective method for many individuals to identify their hydration requirements by keeping a check on the color of their urine throughout the day. Check whether urine color is clear or light-colored throughout the day, as dark yellow urine can signify dehydration. Be aware that certain medications and foods can affect your urine color and appearance, too.
However, more than the water intake, clean, clear, and pure water should be there to hydrate the body effectively. It has been found that contaminated water can be more harmful to you and your family, so if your water source has impurities, then go for any of the whole house water filter systems to get pure water and boost your hydration goals.
Hydration and Exercise: A Dual Benefit for the Heart
A fitness workout is not just about breaking a sweat; it is about understanding your body's intricate response with every step, lift, and drop of sweat. Heart and exercise have a harmonious balance where hydration enjoys a prominant role.
When dehydrated, it is like turning down the balance, and the heart starts beating faster to compensate to keep the balance. It puts strain on heart health and could result in other health issues. Stay hydrated after a workout as your body craves replenishment after each routine and sweat. Hydration prepares the body for more fitness workouts and makes the heart work more efficiently. Proper hydration stimulates a better workout and better heart health.
Drinking pure, clean, and safe water is the best way to keep this harmonious balance for our bodies. Many users find that clean, clear water delivered to every faucet and showerhead in your home drives improved hydration, particularly when most municipal water treatment systems contain chemical disinfectants and disinfection by-products as well as a whole host of various other contaminants. In order to get clean and pure water at home, a simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-maintain water filter is the easiest way.
HomeMaster brings these compact and portable countertop water filter units for typical household uses as suitable and cost-effective water filters. The countertop water filter is designed to use minimal space and easily fits on any sinktop for the value-oriented customer to obtain pure and refreshing drinking water. For customers demanding The Perfect Water, HomeMaster also has the HydroPerfection(R) Reverse Osmosis (RO) system with 9 stages of filtration, purification, sterilization, and enhancement to remove up to 99% of 1000s of contaminants and microorganisms. Get pure, clean, and odorless water from these countertop water filters to meet your hydration goal and keep your family healthier. Undoubtedly, the significance of pure water and hydration for the human heart cannot be ignored.
Conclusion
Exercise, hydration, and heart health are in sync — regular exercise significantly minimizes the risk of heart failure, but this will not be as effective without proper hydration. When dehydrated, your heart races, increasing strain and stress. Here is the solution: aim to drink pure water 1.5 times the fluids lost during exercise. This encore ensures a heart-healthy rhythm. So, hydrate, move, and let your heart lead to a healthier life.