3 surprising ways dehydration puts your heart at risk

It has been said several times and we have also read in several places about the importance of drinking a sufficient amount of water daily.

Water is the basic necessity of life for all living beings on this planet. Just like food provides us with energy and nutrients to carry out all internal functions, water has a similar role to play.

Yet, even after constant reminders, most people undermine the importance of drinking enough water daily.

Why is drinking water vital?
Studies suggest that every individual must drink at least six to eight glasses of water in a day for living a healthy life. However, evidence suggests that most people, both men and women, do not even meet the lower end of these ranges.

Water helps to carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, flush out bacteria, aid in digestion, prevent constipation, stabilize the heartbeat and protect organs. Dehydration, on the other hand, can lead to headaches, increase risk of kidney diseases and chances of heart failure. Here are three ways dehydration can impact your heart health.

1. It makes your heart work harder
Dehydration can lead to a drop in your blood volume level and causes your blood to thicken. This can happen when you are the slightest bit dehydrated. When your blood volume drops, the level of your blood pressure also comes down naturally. In this situation, you start to feel dizzy and lightheaded. To maintain the blood pressure level, the body constricts blood vessels and increases the heart rate, making your heart work harder to transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. This condition can also lead to irregular heartbeat or palpitations.

2. It increases the risk of heart attack
As per a 2002 study, dehydration can also increase the risk of a heart attack in adults. As lack of water thickens your blood and makes your blood vessels constrict, over time it can strain your heart. This can cause plaque buildup and blockage in the arteries and can cause a heart attack. Taking a sufficient amount of water can reduce the risk of heart attack by 46 per cent in men and 59 per cent in women.

3. It can also put you at risk of stroke
Thickening of blood due to insufficient intake of water can also affect the functioning of your brain. Excessive thickening of blood can block blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke. Studies show that those who are well hydrated have a greater chance of a better outcome even when they suffer from stroke. The risk is even higher in the case of older adults.