Good hydration may reduce long-term risks for heart failure
Serum sodium levels may help identify adults with a greater chance of experiencing heart disease

Date:
March 29, 2022
Source:
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Summary:
Staying well-hydrated may be associated with a reduced risk for
developing heart failure. New findings suggest that consuming
sufficient amounts of fluids throughout life not only supports
essential body functioning but may also reduce the risk of severe
heart problems in the future.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Staying well-hydrated may be associated with a reduced risk for developing heart failure, according to researchers at the National Institutes
of Health.

Their findings, which appear in the European Heart Journal, suggest that consuming sufficient amounts of fluids throughout life not only supports essential body functioning but may also reduce the risk of severe heart problems in the future.


========================================================================== Heart failure, a chronic condition that develops when the heart does not
pump enough blood for the body's needs, affects more than 6.2 million Americans, a little more than 2% of the population. It is also more
common among adults ages 65 and older.

"Similar to reducing salt intake, drinking enough water and staying
hydrated are ways to support our hearts and may help reduce long-term
risks for heart disease," said Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., the lead study
author and a researcher in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI),
part of NIH.

After conducting preclinical research that suggested connections
between dehydration and cardiac fibrosis, a hardening of the heart
muscles, Dmitrieva and researchers looked for similar associations in large-scale population studies. To start, they analyzed data from more
than 15,000 adults, ages 45-66, who enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk
in Communities (ARIC) study between 1987-1989 and shared information
from medical visits over a 25-year period.

In selecting participants for their retrospective review, the scientists focused on those whose hydration levels were within a normal range and
who did not have diabetes, obesity, or heart failure at the start of
the study.

Approximately 11,814 adults were included in the final analysis, and, of
those, the researchers found 1,366 (11.56%) later developed heart failure.

To assess potential links with hydration, the team assessed the hydration status of the participants using several clinical measures. Looking
at levels of serum sodium, which increases as the body's fluid levels
decrease, was especially useful in helping to identify participants with
an increased risk for developing heart failure. It also helped identify
older adults with an increased risk for developing both heart failure and
left ventricular hypertrophy, an enlargement and thickening of the heart.



==========================================================================
For example, adults with serum sodium levels starting at 143
milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) -- a normal range is 135-146 mEq/L
-- in midlife had a 39% associated increased risk for developing heart
failure compared to adults with lower levels. And for every 1 mEq/L
increase in serum sodium within the normal range of 135-146 mEq/L,
the likelihood of a participant developing heart failure increased by 5%.

In a cohort of about 5,000 adults ages 70-90, those with serum sodium
levels of 142.5-143 mEq/L at middle age were 62% more likely to develop
left ventricular hypertrophy. Serum sodium levels starting at 143 mEq/L correlated with a 102% increased risk for left ventricular hypertrophy
and a 54% increased risk for heart failure.

Based on these data, the authors conclude serum sodium levels above 142
mEq/ L in middle age are associated with increased risks for developing
left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure later in life.

A randomized, controlled trial will be necessary to confirm these
preliminary findings, the researchers said. However, these early
associations suggest good hydration may help prevent or slow the
progression of changes within the heart that can lead to heart failure.

"Serum sodium and fluid intake can easily be assessed in clinical exams
and help doctors identify patients who may benefit from learning about
ways to stay hydrated," said Manfred Boehm, M.D., who leads the Laboratory
of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine.

Fluids are essential for a range of bodily functions, including helping
the heart pump blood efficiently, supporting blood vessel function, and orchestrating circulation. Yet many people take in far less than they
need, the researchers said. While fluid guidelines vary based on the
body's needs, the researchers recommended a daily fluid intake of 6-8
cups (1.5-2.1 liters) for women and 8-12 cups (2-3 liters) for men. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides tips to support healthy hydration.

This research was supported by the Division of Intramural Research
at NHLBI.

Other coauthors include Delong Liu, Ph.D., from the Laboratory of
Vascular and Matrix Genetics and Colin O. Wu, Ph.D., from the Office of Biostatistics Research. The ARIC study has been supported by research
contracts from NHLBI, NIH, and the Department of Health and Human
Services.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by NIH/National_Heart,_Lung_and_Blood_Institute. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Natalia I. Dmitrieva, Delong Liu, Colin O. Wu, Manfred Boehm. Middle
age
serum sodium levels in the upper part of normal range and
risk of heart failure. European Heart Journal, 2022 DOI:
10.1093/eurheartj/ehac138 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220329114701.htm

--- up 4 weeks, 1 day, 10 hours, 50 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)