Dehydration Triggers Heart Attack in a Fit, Marathon-running 32-year-old Man; Here's How (Image Credits: iStock)
A 32-year-old fit and sporty man, known to regularly run in marathons, was recently rushed to the emergency room after a sudden heart attack. According to the doctors, the man, the CEO of a company, had no prior heart conditions and no lifestyle red flags. However, detailed investigations into his bloodwork showed something alarming.
The man’s hemoglobin levels had shot up to 18 g/dL - way beyond the healthy limit of 17.2 g/dL for males. Doctors say it gives a major clue as the blood had turned thick due to severe dehydration.
According to experts, stickiness causes blockages in the arteries—constricting blood vessels and leading to electrolyte imbalances - all of which can strain the heart and lead to complications. News reports said the doctors were able to save him with the help of blood thinners and intravenous fluids.
How does dehydration lead to a heart attack?
When your body gets dehydrated due to heat and too much sweating, your heart has to work harder to pump blood around. This extra work increases the heart rate and palpitations as it beats faster overall. Additionally, doctors say blood also thickens when you have low water and fluids in the body, making even more work for your heart.
However, in a few cases, dehydration also leads to your electrolytes becoming imbalanced, resulting in palpitations.
What to do in case of an emergency?
According to doctors, to recover from severe side effects of dehydration, you can try a few things that can help you relieve them in the moment—which include breathing and muscle exercises. Also, consider doing the following:
- Place one hand on your stomach and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, exhaling through your nose or mouth.
- Pinch your nose shut and close your mouth while forcibly breathing out through your nose.
- Splash cold water onto your face or immerse your face in a sink of cold water.
Recovering from dehydration
The first thing to do if you are dehydrated is to try and get fluids back into your body. According to doctors, you must avoid taking big gulps and instead, take small sips of water every so often. You can also try consuming foods with high water content like berries, melons, soup, or ice cream.
If you have been vomiting or have had diarrhoea, you may need to purchase oral rehydration powder to replenish your body’s levels of minerals, sugars, and salts. This is mixed with water and is usually available in pharmacies. Serious cases of dehydration may require intravenous fluids from a hospital.
When should you see a doctor?
If you think your symptoms of dehydration are not abating despite taking adequate measures, make sure to make an appointment to see a doctor immediately.
A few instances where it may happen include if you are frequently becoming dehydrated and do not know why or if you regularly have heart palpitations and cannot figure out the trigger. Similarly, contact your doctor if your palpitations change or your pulse is higher than 100 beats per minute and you have not been exercising.
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