Dehydration occurs when the body lacks sufficient fluid to carry out its normal functions. Angina refers to chest pain or discomfort resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. This article explores the link between dehydration and symptoms that may resemble angina, highlighting the importance of recognizing chest pain and maintaining proper hydration for heart health.
How Dehydration Affects Your Heart
When the body experiences dehydration, its blood volume decreases. This reduction in fluid means the heart must work harder to pump blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. The heart compensates by increasing its rate, leading to a faster heartbeat. This increased workload can elevate the heart’s oxygen demand.
Dehydration can also make blood thicker, creating more resistance to flow and making it challenging for the heart to pump effectively. The body may constrict blood vessels in response to reduced blood volume to help maintain blood pressure, further increasing the heart’s effort.
Dehydration can lead to imbalances in electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These electrolytes are involved in electrical signals that regulate heart rhythm. Shifts in their levels can interfere with these signals, potentially causing symptoms like palpitations, skipped beats, or a rapid heart rate. These changes can strain the cardiovascular system, potentially causing chest discomfort or pain similar to angina.
Recognizing Chest Pain and When to Seek Medical Care
Angina commonly presents as pressure, squeezing, heaviness, tightness, or pain in the chest. This discomfort can radiate to areas like the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Stable angina often occurs with physical activity or stress and typically subsides with rest or medication within about five minutes. Unstable angina is a medical emergency. It can be unpredictable, occur at rest, be more severe, or last longer, potentially indicating a heart attack.
Any new, worsening, or persistent chest pain should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately. It is challenging to distinguish between angina symptoms and other causes of chest pain, such as heartburn, without medical assessment.
If chest pain is severe, does not go away with rest, or is accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, light-headedness, or nausea, immediate emergency medical attention is necessary. Even if milder dehydration symptoms like thirst or fatigue are present, any chest pain warrants prompt medical evaluation. Calling emergency services like 911 or your local equivalent is crucial in these situations.
Maintaining Optimal Hydration for Heart Health
Adequate hydration is important for overall cardiovascular health. Water makes up a significant portion of the human body, supporting heart function and blood circulation. Staying well-hydrated assists the heart in efficiently pumping blood through vessels to muscles and other tissues.
Most healthy adults should aim to drink enough fluid daily so their urine is a clear, pale yellow. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women, including fluids from food. Approximately 20% of daily fluid intake typically comes from food, with the remainder from beverages.
Water is the preferred choice for hydration, being calorie-free and readily available. Other beverages like lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, and even some fruits and vegetables with high water content such as watermelon, lettuce, and cucumbers, contribute to fluid intake. Fluid needs can increase in specific situations, including during physical activity, in hot or humid environments, or when experiencing illness like fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Simple tips for staying hydrated include drinking regularly throughout the day, not solely relying on thirst, and keeping fluids accessible as a reminder.