Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in the US for both men and women? Nearly 610,000 people die each year from heart disease in the US alone. We at Glasstic want to change this statistic and help promote healthy living and to help your heart.
As February is heart month, we encourage our customers to share this message and raise awareness. Dehydration is a huge problem in the US as over 75 percent of Americans may suffer from chronic dehydration, which can impact your body in a number of ways including your cardiovascular system.
So, how does dehydration hurt your heart?
Rapid Heart Rate: Our hearts are constantly working and pumping nearly 2,000 gallons of blood a day. A hydrated heart is said to be able to pump blood more easily, which allows the muscles in your body to work even better, according to UPMC Health. In simple terms, all muscles, including the heart, need a constant blood supply. Being dehydrated is stressful to the heart and if your blood volume decreases, your heart has to beat faster to pump blood to your organs.
Increased Blood Pressure: Yes, not too surprising, dehydration can lead to an increase in blood pressure. According to Livestrong, dehydration reduces blood volume. Your body compensates by retaining more sodium in the blood. These high blood-sodium concentrations then cause your body to close small blood vessels. This rises the pressure in major blood vessels and makes the blood become more concentrated and thick. As the blood becomes thicker, it becomes difficult to effectively circulate. To compensate, your body “squeezes” blood vessels to help move the blood along, which raises blood pressure.
Hydration is just one of the many ways you can prevent heart disease. It’s estimated that 80 percent of heart disease is preventable. A few tips that are highly encouraged when thinking about your heart include:
- Get Active
- Reduce Stress
- Eat Better
- Stop Smoking
- And of course, always consult a physician
Stay healthy, hydrated and happy this 2018. Know the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease so you can act fast and save a life. If you feel thirsty, this probably means you are already dehydrated. Grab your Glasstic and drink up.
