Here is a closer look at how dehydration and high blood pressure are related.
When you have high blood pressure, your blood pushes hard against the walls of your blood vessels because it has a higher pressure than usual.
Can dehydration cause high blood pressure? High blood pressure might be a result of dehydration. Your body produces more of the chemical vasopressin when you are dehydrated.
Dehydration is a serious condition. Untreated complications like heat-related emergencies and kidney issues can be fatal. Learn more about dehydration, its impact on blood pressure, and the warning signs by reading on.
Table of Contents
What Causes Dehydration?
There are many different causes of dehydration. It may occur if you are ill and unable to consume fluids for an extended period of time. When you don’t have enough water available, like on a road trip, it can also happen.
- Vomiting and having diarrhea, which can cause you to loose fluids
- Heavy sweating during strenuous exercising
- Fever
- Frequent urination
- Drinking beverages like coffee or alcohol, which increase urination
- Forgetting to drink water, such as when you are super busy
- Having kidney disease or uncontrolled diabetes
- Lack of access to clean drinking water
I should note that dehydration can still happen in the chilly winter months. Although you are not sweating profusely, you may become dehydrated if you don’t drink enough water which could lead to elevated or low blood pressure,” According to Dr. Varghese,
What Are Other Causes of High Blood Pressure?
One potential factor in high blood pressure is dehydration. Other medical conditions or certain lifestyle choices can also contribute to high blood pressure.
Common causes and risk factors of high blood pressure include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Eating high amounts of salt
- Lack of potassium in the diet
- Heavy alcohol use
- Stress
- Thyroid disorders
- Sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Tumors in the adrenal gland
- Using illicit drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine
- Using certain medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and corticosteroids
“Most people don’t know when they have high blood pressure because high blood pressure doesn’t usually show any symptoms,” Dr. Varghese says.
Some people with high blood pressure, however, may also experience headaches, shortness of breath, or bloody noses.
During regular appointments, such as yearly physicals or well-check visits, doctors typically take your blood pressure. If you believe you may be at risk for high blood pressure, schedule a consultation with your doctor. Getting your blood pressure under control can reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and dementia.
Can Dehydration Affect Your Blood Pressure?
Dehydration can alter your blood pressure and increase your risk of developing health issues.
Dehydration and High Blood Pressure
A systolic blood pressure of greater than 130 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of greater than 80 mmHg are considered to be high blood pressure. Studies have shown that dehydration can raise blood pressure, and a rat study found that chronic dehydration can exacerbate hypertension.
The brain instructs the pituitary gland to release vasopressin when you’re dehydrated because your blood has a higher sodium concentration. Vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is essential for the maintenance of the body’s osmotic balance, blood pressure control, sodium control, and kidney health.
When released in sufficient quantities, vasopressin causes vasoconstriction, which raises blood pressure by instructing your kidneys to reabsorb more water. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, try your best to maintain constant hydration to prevent blood pressure spikes.
Dehydration and Low Blood Pressure
By lowering your blood volume, dehydration can cause low blood pressure. A systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading of less than 90 and 60 millimeters of mercury, respectively, is considered to be low blood pressure.
The total amount of fluid circulating through your arteries, veins, capillaries, and heart chambers at any given time is called blood volume.
How much fluid you consume will affect the volume of your blood. As a result, when you are dehydrated, your blood volume decreases.
In addition to not drinking enough fluids, blood volume loss (from injury or donation) and excessive sweating during exercise can also result in hypovolemia.
Low blood pressure is brought on by decreased blood volume, which also causes blood pressure to decrease. You may experience weakness, fatigue, and wooziness from low blood pressure. Serious cases of low blood pressure can cause shock, which necessitates medical attention in a hospital or even results in death.
What Are Other Symptoms of Dehydration?
“Dehydration has a lot of potential symptoms, including feeling extremely thirsty, dry mouth, darker-colored urine, and dizziness,” Dr. Varghese says.
Dehydration usually manifests as symptoms before it affects your blood pressure.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
- Less frequent urination
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Bad breath
- Dry skin
- Muscle cramps
- Cravings for junk foods
If any of the aforementioned symptoms are present for you, drink some water. In order to determine whether you have been drinking enough water, consider your recent intake. Do these symptoms appear after spending a lot of time in the sun, for instance? If so, you might not have been getting enough water and be dehydrated.
How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
By consuming large amounts of water throughout the day, you can avoid dehydration and lower your risk of developing high blood pressure. Some medical professionals advise consuming eight glasses of water daily.
Each person has a different “correct” daily water consumption requirement. It depends on a number of variables, including your weight, level of physical activity, etc.
Based on your unique health situation, talk to your doctor about how much water you should consume each day. Your doctor can examine your medical history, speak with you about your lifestyle, and use this information to determine the best course of action.
When to Get Medical Attention?
It’s important to seek prompt medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea that’s lasted longer than 24 hours
- Inability to keep fluids down
- A rapid heartbeat
- Extreme exhaustion, disorientation, or confusion
- Stool that’s black or bloody
For Low Blood Pressure
Without any additional symptoms, a blood pressure reading that is lower than normal may not be cause for alarm.
It’s crucial to seek medical attention if your blood pressure readings are low and you also have other symptoms.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- Feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Blurry vision
The medical emergency of shock necessitates prompt attention. Dial 911 if you have lower than usual blood pressure and symptoms like:
- Skin that’s cold or clammy
- Quick, shallow breathing
- A pulse that’s rapid and weak
- Confusion
For High Blood Pressure
There are typically no symptoms associated with high blood pressure. Most people learn about it when they visit their doctor for a routine checkup.
Consult your doctor if you regularly check your blood pressure and discover that it is consistently high.
The Bottom Line
The health issues brought on by dehydration must be recognized and avoided. One of those might be unfamiliar to you.
Dehydration can cause changes in blood pressure. A decrease in blood volume can cause shock or a blood pressure drop that could be dangerous.
Dehydration and high blood pressure have been linked. To fully comprehend the connection, more study is necessary.