Drinking enough water could prevent heart failure

28-08-2021 by Mirai

In a recent study, researchers underscore the importance of hydrating well every day, especially from the age of 40. This good habit is in fact essential to prevent the level of sodium in the blood from getting too high and promotes the onset of a heart problem years later.

An essential element of the body, water should be consumed every day at will, in the absence of medical contraindication. Every day we lose something through urine, perspiration and respiration, so it is recommended to compensate for these losses by drinking at least 1 to 1.5 liters of water a day to maintain the balance of the body. This recommendation is all the more important given that a study presented at the congress of the European Society of Cardiology (August 27-30, 2021) affirms that staying well hydrated throughout life reduces the risk of developing heart failure, that is, heart failure. cardiac. muscle to move blood normally through the body.

"Our study suggests that maintaining adequate hydration can prevent or at least slow changes in the heart that lead to heart failure. Says study author Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ". The results indicate that we must be careful with the amount of liquid that we consume each day and take action if we discover that we are drinking too little. The recommendations for daily fluid intake range between 1.6 and 2.1 liters for women and between 2 and 3 liters for men. But several studies have shown that many people don't even reach the lower end of these ranges.

Poor hydration in your 40s has an impact 25 years later

The researchers looked at serum sodium (sodium level in the blood), a measure of the body's hydration status. They found that when people drink less fluids, the serum sodium concentration rises and the body tries to conserve water, activating processes known to contribute to the development of heart failure. The study examined whether serum sodium concentration in middle age predicted the development of heart failure 25 years later. The researchers also looked at the link between poor hydration and the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, a heart condition that serves as a precursor to the diagnosis of heart failure.

The analysis was performed in 15,792 adults aged 44 to 66 years at the time of recruitment, evaluated at five visits up to the age of 70 to 90 years. Participants were divided into four groups based on their average serum sodium concentration during the first two visits made during the first three years of the study. For each sodium group, the researchers looked at the proportion of people who developed heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy at the fifth visit (25 years later). The results showed that a higher serum sodium concentration in middle age was associated with heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy 25 years later.

Periodically evaluate the hydration level of certain people

Furthermore, serum sodium remained associated with heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy after adjustment for other factors related to the development of heart failure: age, blood pressure, kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, sex, and smoking. Each 1 mmol / L increase in serum sodium concentration to 40 was associated with a 1.20 increased probability of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and a 1.11 increased probability of heart failure 25 years later. Both risks began to increase when the serum sodium level exceeded 142 mmol / L after the age of 40.

"The results suggest that good hydration throughout life may reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Our finding that serum sodium above 142 mmol / L increases the risk of adverse cardiac effects may help identify people who could benefit from an assessment of their hydration level. " Specifies Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva. The scientific team concludes that while this sodium level should not be labeled abnormal in blood test results right away, doctors could use it during regular examinations to identify people whose water intake should be assessed long-term and later be corrected if necessary.