Can Dehydration Cause Chest Pain? Exploring the Connection

Chest ache will not be a typical symptom of mild dehydration (it is extra usually on account of issues like indigestion or anxiousness). However extreme dehydration can throw off your blood pressure, probably leading to that disagreeable feeling in your chest.

Happily, there are methods to stop extreme dehydration and the signs that include it. Discover ways to try this right here, plus the the explanation why chest ache and dehydration are associated.

Why does dehydration trigger chest ache?

Extreme dehydration causes chest ache due to the blood stress modifications that occur when your physique does not have sufficient fluids.

Whenever you’re very dehydrated, your blood stress drops and fewer recent blood, oxygen, and vitamins are transported to your organs. In response, your physique tries to lift your blood stress by rising your coronary heart fee and constricting your blood vessels.

“This elevated coronary heart fee would possibly really feel like heart palpitations and even chest ache for some individuals,” says Marc Taub, MD, medical director of emergency providers at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Heart in Laguna Hills, California.

The more serious your dehydration is, the extra probably you might be to really feel these results. In some circumstances, the cardiac results of dehydration, like chest ache or speedy heartbeat, might be an indication of an underlying coronary heart challenge that is gone unaddressed.

“Dehydration can nearly be checked out as a mini stress take a look at. Feeling chest ache on this setting might be an indicator of an underlying cardiovascular challenge,” says Eric Hames, MD, a household drugs doctor at Texas Well being Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance in Fort Price, Texas.

In both case, dehydration that is reached the purpose of creating your chest harm requires medical consideration.

“Any state of affairs by which an individual has chest ache, whatever the context, ought to at all times be thought of critical and mentioned with a health care provider,” says Dr. Hames. You physician could run blood work, or assessments like an ECG and echocardiogram, to rule out a coronary heart situation.

“Dehydration can nearly be checked out as a mini stress take a look at. Feeling chest ache might be an indicator of a cardiovascular challenge.”—Eric Hames, MD, household drugs doctor

Different unintended effects of dehydration

Your physique has many different methods of letting it is advisable to drink extra water. “Thirst might be one of the best indicator that our physique wants fluids,” says Dr. Hames. Different clues that you may be dehydrated embody the next, per the National Library of Medicine (NLM):

• Dry mouth
• Darkish coloured urine
• Urinating or sweating lower than traditional
• Dry pores and skin
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

As dehydration will get worse, so will the signs. Indicators of harmful dehydration embody the next, per the NLM:

• Confusion
• Fainting
• Lack of urination
• Fast coronary heart fee
• Fast respiration
• Shock

If you happen to begin to really feel any of these signs, name your physician and go to the closest ER as quickly as attainable.

How one can deal with and forestall dehydration

One of the best ways to deal with and forestall dehydration? Ingesting sufficient water, says Dr. Hames. Your precise hydration wants will rely on elements like your age, measurement, exercise stage, and local weather. Although in keeping with the Mayo Clinic, you need to roughly purpose for anyplace between 9 and 12 cups of water (or different hydrating fluids) per day.

If you happen to’re extra bodily lively or are sweatier than traditional (from sizzling climate or sickness), Dr. Taub recommends bumping up your fluid consumption. You will know you are getting sufficient water in case your urine is the colour of straw or lemonade, per the Mayo Clinic. If it begins to look extra like apple juice, you are dehydrated.

Even when you solely really feel just a little thirsty, begin sipping. “Delicate dehydration can sometimes be resolved by consuming extra fluids,” and you may probably begin to perk up inside 15 to twenty minutes, says Dr. Hames.

Whereas plain water is at all times a sensible choice, you may additionally wish to think about an electrolyte drink—like Pedialyte or Gatorade—when you’ve been sweating closely, vomiting, or have had diarrhea, provides Dr. Taub.

Treating extreme dehydration, nonetheless, would require medical consideration, as a result of it might probably result in kidney harm if left untreated. “Conditions of extreme dehydration ought to be handled in a medical setting with aggressive IV fluid rehydration and shut monitoring,” says Dr. Hames.

When to see a health care provider

Whereas some causes of chest ache are delicate and do not require instant medical consideration (like indigestion or stress, for instance), different causes, together with extreme dehydration, ought to be handled instantly, say Dr. Hames and Dr. Taub. Chest ache from a scarcity of water will usually include different signs like confusion, dizziness, fainting, or coronary heart palpitations, per the NLM.

In some circumstances, chest ache might be an indication of one other underlying well being challenge. “Chest ache can occur for a lot of causes, reminiscent of coronary heart assaults, blood clots, pneumonia, and even accidents to the chest,”says Dr. Taub. All of these issues require a medical workup. So if the discomfort is not easing up, and comes with different regarding signs, name 911.

FAQ

How lengthy do dehydration signs final?

Dehydration signs final till you’ve got adequately replenished your fluid shops—i.e., drank sufficient water. The common restoration time from dehydration, if it is delicate, ought to be about 15 to twenty minutes after beginning to drink, notes Dr. Hames.

What drink will hydrate you the quickest?

Contemplating your physique is round 60 % water, plain previous H2O “is at all times one of the best reply in the case of rehydrating,” says Dr. Hames. However when you’ve been sweating closely for a sustained interval (like when you’re lively on a sizzling day), strive an electrolyte drink like Gatorade or Pedialyte. “Electrolyte substitute drinks work nice for rehydrating and replenishing fluids and electrolytes,” he provides. You may additionally strive consuming coconut water or consuming water-rich fruits like watermelon.

What ought to I do if I get up dehydrated?

No have to do something particular. It is fairly regular to really feel thirsty when you wake up (in any case, you simply went the entire night time with out consuming something). Simply down a giant glass of water earlier than your espresso, or preserve your trusty water bottle close to your bedside (psst: take a look at these water bottles with straws if you do not have one). You must begin to really feel extra hydrated inside 15 to twenty minutes.