What happens to blood pressure if you drink too little water?

How does dehydration affect blood pressure? Here, Dr. Ayesha Gulzar, a pharmacist at the UK's National Health Service, explains this complex relationship.

Dehydration can reduce blood volume, causing blood pressure to drop or fluctuate. This affects blood pressure through its relationship to blood volume—the amount of blood circulating in the blood vessels and heart.

Blood contains a large amount of water. Therefore, dehydration causes blood volume to decrease, leading to changes in blood pressure.

Dehydration can reduce blood volume, causing blood pressure to drop.

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How does dehydration lead to low blood pressure?

Dehydration reduces blood volume. When less blood is circulating, the pressure on the artery walls is also reduced, which can lead to low blood pressure.

In some cases, a sudden drop in blood volume can also lead to a life-threatening condition called hypovolemic shock. This can occur due to severe dehydration, which causes insufficient blood flow from the heart to the body, according to Verywell Health.

Dehydration can also increase blood pressure.

Although dehydration can initially lower blood pressure, a sudden drop in blood pressure can later lead to hypertension. This is due to a decrease in blood volume because dehydration can trigger the release of certain hormones such as vasopressin or angiotensin.

When the body is dehydrated, blood becomes thicker and stickier. The heart has to work harder to pump the thick blood, which can increase blood pressure. On the other hand, the hormone vasopressin can also cause blood vessels to constrict, putting more pressure on the artery walls and potentially leading to high blood pressure, according to Verywell Health.

Prolonged dehydration can place significant stress on the heart and blood vessels and may lead to adverse health consequences.

How do you know if you are dehydrated?

Common symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, slight tiredness, dizziness or lightheadedness, muscle cramps, nervousness, confusion, lethargy, and dark yellow or amber-colored urine.

Dehydration results in an imbalance between water intake and water loss, causing electrolyte disturbances and many other bodily dysfunctions. This condition can lead to serious complications, including:

• Urinary tract infection.
• Kidney stones.
• Convulsion.
• Hypovolemic shock.

Staying hydrated is essential. Seek medical attention if you experience signs of severe dehydration. Also, monitor your blood pressure closely. If your blood pressure becomes too high or too low due to dehydration, seek medical help.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dieu-gi-xay-ra-voi-huet-ap-neu-ban-uong-nuoc-qua-it-185250810084323113.htm