Maintaining proper fluid balance is essential for overall health. Inadequate hydration can reduce strength and endurance. In severe cases, dehydration can lead to serious health issues, including elevated blood pressure.
What is Dehydration?
The human body is made up of 55%–60% water, and maintaining the right amount of fluids is important to health. Sufficient fluid intake is necessary to support many bodily functions, including maintaining healthy blood volume.
The body naturally loses fluids through sweating, urination, defecation, and breathing. Typically, these lost fluids are replaced through eating and drinking.
However, if your body loses more fluids than it takes in, you can become dehydrated. The fluid levels throughout your body will not be enough to support normal bodily functions, and dehydration can have a significant impact on blood pressure [1].
Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration, as the body loses more fluids than it can replace, which may require extra hydration to maintain balance.
Dehydration and Blood Pressure
Dehydration can reduce the amount of blood circulating in your body. Low blood volume has a direct effect on your blood pressure, which is the force your blood uses to move through your veins and arteries. Blood pressure that is either too high or too low can negatively impact your health [2].
Can Dehydration Cause Low Blood Pressure?
When dehydration reduces blood volume, your blood pressure can drop because there simply isn’t enough blood in the vessels to fill them and move efficiently through the body [3].
Low blood pressure can lead to shock, organ damage — particularly the heart and brain — or, in extreme cases, death.
Can Dehydration Cause High Blood Pressure?
Dehydration can also lead to high blood pressure. This condition occurs when blood exerts excessive force on the veins and arteries, potentially causing damage to the blood vessels and the heart. While it may seem counterintuitive, reduced blood volume can trigger high blood pressure [4].
When blood volume drops, sodium levels in your blood increase, causing your body to release a hormone called vasopressin. Vasopressin causes blood vessels to constrict. The rise in sodium and constriction of blood vessels can lead to a spike in blood pressure.
Frequent fluctuations in blood pressure or chronic high blood pressure can pose significant health risks. A 2019 study published in Nutrition Reviews revealed that frequent dehydration can cause long-term changes in how efficiently blood vessels function and regulate blood pressure [5].
Researchers cautioned that chronic dehydration may increase the risk of high blood pressure and other heart problems. Severe complications can include blood clots, stroke, and heart disease.
Chronic or repeated episodes of dehydration can also lead to health issues such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and constipation [6].
Dehydration can cause low blood pressure from less blood volume or high blood pressure as the body tightens blood vessels.
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Managing Dehydration
For mild cases of dehydration, treatment involves fluid replacement. Water, sports drinks, and hydration boosters can all aid in quick recovery from dehydration after exercise or time spent outdoors.
Severe dehydration can be a serious medical emergency. You may need to be hospitalized and receive IV fluid replacement to address the issue. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of dehydration, such as [7]:
Thirst
Dry skin and lips
Dark urine
Decreased urine output
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle cramps
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Fainting
Heart palpitations
Regularly monitoring fluid intake and hydration levels can help prevent the risk of dehydration. Understanding your body’s fluid needs and the factors that contribute to fluid loss can help you maintain proper hydration.
Hydration Monitoring with Hydration Urine Test Strips
Keeping an eye on your hydration levels can help ensure you maintain adequate fluid consumption.
Diagnox's hydration test strips use urine specific gravity (USG) measurements for fast and accurate hydration testing at home. The strips measure the concentration of electrolytes and other substances in your urine. Simply dip the test strip into a urine sample and wait 2 minutes for results.
The easy-to-use dipstick test strips are designed for regular at-home testing. You can use them to monitor hydration in relation to factors like fluid intake, diet, medication use, and physical activity.
[7] K. Taylor, A. K. Tripathi, and E. B. Jones, "Adult Dehydration," StatPearls, Oct. 3, 2022. [Accessed: Oct. 3, 2024].
About the Author
Rebekah Kuschmider
Rebekah has been writing about culture, health, and politics since 2010. She has a masters degree in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University. Her work has been seen at WebMD, The Candidly, MedicineNet, YourTango, Ravishly, Babble, Scary Mommy, Salon, Role Reboot, The Good Men Project, SheSaid, Huffington Post, and Mamamia. She is a former cohost of the weekly podcast The More Perfect Union. Rebekah lives in Maryland with her husband, two kids, and a dog who sheds a lot.
About the Reviewer
This blog was
Medically reviewed by:
Trager Hintze, PharmD
Trager Hintze is a clinical assistant professor and emergency medicine clinical pharmacist located in College Station, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in biology as well as a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He balances teaching at Texas A&M University College of Pharmacy and practicing emergency medicine at St. Joseph Regional Health Hospital.
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