Proper hydration linked to lower risk of heart failure, study shows

Experts from the National Institutes of Health confirmed some time ago that providing the body with adequate water has numerous health benefits. At that time, scientists discovered that it could protect against the development of heart failure. Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, who was one of the people responsible for the research, admitted that proper hydration and reducing overall salt intake contribute to lowering the risk of heart problems.

In her latest medical experiment, Dr. Dmitrieva investigated the link between dehydration and heart fibrosis. To conduct such an analysis, the scientists collected data from 15,000 adults aged 45 to 66. The participants provided information about their health status and medical visits over 25 years. Among these individuals, the focus was on people with hydration levels within the norms of water intake.

At the start of the study, these participants did not have conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or heart failure. This narrowed the group of 15,000 to 11,814 adults who developed heart failure. Hydration levels were assessed by the sodium level in the body, which increases when the amount of fluids in the body decreases. Scientists believe this relationship might be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease with insufficient water intake.

The correct sodium concentration is 135-146 mmol/L. Participants whose sodium levels started at 143 mmol/L had a higher risk of heart failure. As sodium concentration increased, so did the likelihood of developing this serious disease.

The study's authors believe that further research is necessary, as the problem is complex and requires deeper analysis.