Hydration Habits Could Significantly Cut Hypertension, Heart Failure Risk, Study Finds

A new study emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated, suggesting it can significantly decrease the risk of hypertension and heart failure.

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University discovered that adequate hydration has protective effects on the heart. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, analyzed data from over 400,000 adults over two decades.

The Significance of Hydration for Overall Health

Water constitutes approximately 60% of the human body. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for various bodily functions. The general recommendation is to drink eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water daily. Hydration aids in:

• Improving brain function
• Boosting digestive health
• Aiding in weight management

Key Findings: Hydration and Heart Health

The study challenges existing perceptions about safe sodium levels in the blood. Researchers found that even sodium levels within the high-normal range may indicate an increased risk of hypertension and heart failure.

Individuals with sodium levels higher than the 'normal' range were significantly more prone to developing these conditions, which are among the most prevalent age-related chronic diseases globally.

Researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2003 to 2023, encompassing over 407,000 healthy adults. This represents one of the most extensive and long-term analyses examining the correlation between hydration status and cardiovascular health.

Sodium levels of 140–142 mmol/L, although still within the normal range, were associated with a 13% higher risk of hypertension. When sodium levels exceeded 143 mmol/L, the risk of hypertension increased by 29%, and the risk of heart failure rose by 20%. Notably, nearly 60% of the healthy adult population had sodium levels within these risk-associated ranges.

Understanding Sodium Levels and Hydration

Standard blood tests typically consider sodium levels within the 135–146 mmol/L range as normal. However, this study challenges that assumption, highlighting a strong, long-term link between higher sodium levels and cardiovascular risk, even in individuals considered otherwise healthy.

Professor Jonathan Rabinowitz from Bar-Ilan University emphasizes the importance of hydration in chronic disease prevention. "Our findings point to hydration as a critical and overlooked part of chronic disease prevention. A simple blood test might flag people who could benefit from basic lifestyle adjustments—like drinking more water, which reduces sodium levels," Rabinowitz stated.

He further added, "This study adds compelling evidence that staying well-hydrated may help reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions like hypertension and heart failure."