Water makes up about 70% of the body and is essential for all cells. Therefore, drinking enough clean water is vital for health and the circulatory system. However, for certain heart disease patients, excessive water intake can cause fluid retention, so water consumption must be considered according to the specific disease and medical advice.
Daily, the body loses at least 1.5-2 liters of water through sweat, urine, and feces combined. It is necessary to drink water to compensate for this loss. If water intake is too low, the body may not have enough fluid to replace losses and will not benefit fully from the blood-thinning effects of adequate hydration.
The Heart Foundation of Thailand (abbreviation) states that drinking clean water reduces blood viscosity and dilutes substances such as toxins, bacteria, and sugars, decreasing their chance of sticking to blood vessels and causing inflammation, which can lead to arteriosclerosis.
In comparisons between " people who drink less than 2 glasses of water a day " and " people who drink more than 5 glasses a day, it was found that (ambiguous element: 'ก' appears isolated, likely a typo or incomplete word; interpreted as a fragment without standalone meaning) the group drinking less water had a higher risk of heart disease.
For healthy individuals without heart disease, whose heart muscles contract normally, it is recommended to drink about 2-2.5 liters or 8-10 glasses of clean water daily, to replace the water lost each day. It is advised to drink 2 glasses of water right after waking up.
However, these recommendations apply to those without health restrictions. Patients with heart failure or impaired kidneys should not follow this guideline without consulting a doctor.
Not all heart patients need to limit water intake if their heart still pumps effectively. Drinking 2-2.5 liters or 8-10 glasses daily helps maintain smooth blood flow and reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
But some heart patients, especially those with heart failure or kidney impairment, must limit their water intake per medical advice. There is no single appropriate amount for all patients.
When water is consumed, blood volume increases. If the left ventricle cannot pump effectively, blood may not circulate properly, leading to fluid and salt retention.
Heart patients may experience swelling in both feet and shins and are at risk of pulmonary edema. Some kidney patients with reduced urine output may also develop fluid retention.
Therefore, they should weigh themselves every morning after using the bathroom and watch for weight gain exceeding 1 kilogram in one day, as rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention.
If rapid weight gain or swelling occurs, patients should consult their doctor for evaluation and treatment adjustment. They should not increase diuretics or change water intake on their own.
Healthy individuals and heart patients with normally functioning hearts are advised to drink about 2-2.5 liters or 8-10 glasses of clean water daily. Patients with a history of heart failure, kidney impairment, or reduced urine output must limit water intake as directed by their doctor, because excessive drinking may cause fluid retention, swelling, and pulmonary edema.
Source of information:The Heart Foundation of Thailand under the Royal Patronage.
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