Does Water cause HBP?? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

BricktopD · 03-20-2006, 06:40 AM

HI all, I have noticed that if I drink allot of water during the day, that my BP is greatly increased. I've always been a thirsty guy and I tend to take in alot of fluids. Could this be the cause of my HBP?

Thanks!!

Lenin · 03-20-2006, 07:23 AM

Indirectly, YES, but the mechanism is more complicated than that. Healthy kidneys can dump excess water almost as fast as it's drunk. However, the kidneys can only slowly remove salt.
Salt concentration MUST be kept in a very tight range or death results. So if a lot of salt is eaten the body demands water to dilute it to within the p[roper concentration. Since salt is mostly present OUTSIDE the cells, inclidung in the bloodsteam, the body will retain enough water to keep the salt dilute but this is what high blood pressure really is...too much fluid in a limited sized piping system.

So it's SALT that is the villain, the water goes along for the ride. Drinking water in the absence of salt will actually LOWER your blood pressure.

michal45 · 03-28-2006, 01:28 PM

Thank you for the information. I also have HP and I've been on Atelonol for a few years, and I also drink a lot of water during the day - without really watching my salt intake. I just had my 2 annual physicals and both times my blood pressure was high and doctors always say: come back in 2 weeks to have it checked again. Really! I have a home monitor but I am afraid to see the figures so I don't use it, which is silly. What I will do now though is watch my salt intake a little more carefully and start taking my BP at home..thanks.

rennah77 · 03-29-2006, 08:24 AM

This is very interesting. For the first time in my life I had a high blood pressure reading at the doctors office. I have really increased my water intake as I am trying to loose weight and eat healthy. I have not really watched my salt/sodium, but I am going to start.