New research published in the study, the European Heart Journal, says that good hydration may be associated with a reduction in the risk of heart failure. New research findings suggest that a lifetime of adequate fluid intake supports essential body functions but may also reduce the risk of serious heart problems in the future.Also read – Skincare Tips: 5 Ways to Prevent Spots This Summer
Heart failure, a chronic condition that develops when the heart does not pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, affects more than 6.2 million Americans, a little over 2 percent of the population. It is also more common in adults 65 and older. Also read – 5 healthiest summer foods to eat to beat the heat
“Reducing salt intake, drinking enough water and staying hydrated are ways to support our heart and help reduce the long-term risks for heart disease,” said Natalia Dimitrieva, PhD, lead study author and researcher. Part of the NIH, Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Also read – Here are 4 essential tips for boosting and strengthening the immune system, the nutritionist suggests
After conducting preclinical research suggesting connections between dehydration and cardiac fibrosis, hardening of the heart muscle, Dimitriva and the researchers found similar connections in a large-scale population study.
They began by analyzing data from more than 15,000 adults aged 45-66 who enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study between 1987-1989 and sharing information from medical visits over a 25-year period.
In selecting participants for their preliminary review, the scientists focused on people whose hydration levels were in the normal range and who did not suffer from diabetes, obesity or heart failure at the beginning of the study.
An estimated 11,814 adults were included in the final analysis, and of those, researchers found that 1,366 (11.56 percent) later developed heart failure.
To evaluate the potential links with hydration, the team evaluated participants’ hydration status using several clinical measures. Observing serum sodium levels, which are increased by a decrease in body fluid levels, was particularly helpful in identifying participants at increased risk for developing heart failure.
It also helps identify older adults with a risk of heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy, heart enlargement and obesity.
For example, serum sodium levels starting at 143 ml equivalent per liter (mEq / L) – a typical range is 135-146 mEq / L – have a 39 percent associated risk of developing heart failure compared to middle-life adults. For every 1 mEq / L increase in serum sodium in the normal range of levels and 135-146 mEq / L, participants are 5 percent more likely to have heart failure.
In a group of about 5,000 adults aged 70-90, middle-aged people with a serum sodium level of 142.5-143 mEq / L were 62 percent more likely to develop left ventricular hypertrophy. Serum sodium levels starting at 143 mEq / L are associated with a 102% increased risk for left ventricular hypertrophy and a 54% increased risk for heart failure.
Based on these data, the authors conclude that serum sodium levels above 142 mEq / L in middle age are associated with an increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure in later life.
A randomized, controlled trial will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings, the researchers said.
However, these early connections suggest that good hydration can help prevent or slow the progression of changes within the heart that can lead to heart failure.
“Serum sodium and fluid intake can be easily evaluated in clinical examinations and help doctors identify patients who may benefit from learning about ways to stay hydrated,” said Manfred Bohem, MD, who works in the Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine Laboratory. .
Fluids are essential for a variety of bodily functions, including helping the heart to pump blood efficiently, supporting the function of blood vessels, and regulating circulation. Yet many take much less than they need, the researchers said.
(ANI)
