Do you get eight recommended glasses a day? Drinking enough water can prevent or slow heart failure, according to the study
- Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health monitored 15,792 people
- Each topic was tracked from middle age (44 to 66 years) for a total of 25 years
- Hydration habits were monitored by measurements of blood sodium levels
- Concentrations above 142 mmol / l in middle age increased the risk of heart failure
- Each 1 mmol / l increase resulted in a 1.11x increase in disease probability
One study has concluded that drinking eight often-recommended glasses of water can be maintained to prevent or slow the onset of heart failure and its precursor.
Experts from the U.S. National Institutes of Health monitored the health and so-called serum sodium concentrations of 15,792 people initially of average age over 25 years.
Serum sodium concentration is a measure of hydration habits based on the amount of sodium in the blood; the less you drink, the more concentrated you become.
When people do not drink enough, the body conserves water in response, activating processes that are known to contribute to the development of heart failure.
Many experts recommend drinking about 2 liters of water a day (1.6-2.1 for women and 2-3 for men), but past studies have shown that many fail.
One study has concluded that taking the recommended eight glasses of water a day to prevent or slow down the onset of heart failure and its precursor.
The research was conducted by Natalia Dmitrieva of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and colleagues.
“Our study suggests that maintaining good hydration can prevent or at least slow down changes in the heart that cause heart failure,” Dr. Dmitrieva said.
“The findings indicate that we need to pay attention to the amount of fluid we consume each day and take action if we find that we drink too little.”
In their study, the team monitored 15,792 middle-aged adults during five assessments spanning a 25-year period.
The team evaluated the variation in the serum sodium concentration of each participant and also the incidences of both heart failure and its precursor, the so-called left ventricular hypertrophy, in which the walls of the left ventricle of the heart thicken.
Based on the mean serum sodium concentration during the first two visits, which were conducted during the first three years of the study period, participants were divided into one of four groups.
The researchers found that having a higher serum sodium concentration in middle age was associated with an increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and later heart failure.
This finding was maintained even when the team explained other factors that can cause heart failure, such as age, blood cholesterol and glucose levels, blood pressure, body mass index, kidney function, sex and smoking status.
Specifically, each 1 mmol / l increase in serum sodium concentration in middle age was associated with a 1.2- and 1.11-fold increase in left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure, respectively, after 25 years.
The risks of both conditions between the ages of 70 and 90 years began to increase after the participant’s serum sodium levels exceeded 142 mmol / l.
Health experts recommend drinking about eight glasses, or 2 liters, of water daily (1.6-2.1 for women and 2-3 for men), but past studies have shown that many fail.
“The results suggest that good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure,” Dr. Dmitrieva said.
In addition, our finding that serum sodium above 142 mmol / l increases the risk of adverse effects on the heart may help identify people who might benefit from an assessment of their hydration level.
“This sodium level is within the normal range and would not be labeled as abnormal in lab test results, but could be used by doctors during regular physical exams to identify people who should be evaluated. regular fluid intake “.
The full findings of the study were presented at the 2021 congress of the European Society of Cardiology, which is being held practically from 27 to 30 August.