How drinking less water can impact blood pressure
Not drinking enough water can impact blood pressure
Ever feel dizzy, tired, or just off when you don’t drink enough water? That’s because dehydration can change your blood pressure, and for some people, this can be dangerous. The good news? Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to help keep your blood pressure steady. Let’s break it down.
Member Story: Learn how John manages his blood pressure.
What Happens to Blood Pressure When You’re Dehydrated?
Dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty—it affects how your heart and blood vessels work.
- Less blood in your body – Your body needs water to make blood. When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops, which can make your blood pressure too low (hypotension).
- Blood vessels tighten – Your body tries to fix the low blood volume by tightening blood vessels, which can actually raise blood pressure over time.
- Your heart works harder – With less blood, your heart has to beat faster to keep things moving. (American Heart Association)
- 💡 Try this: If you feel dizzy when you stand up quickly, drink a glass of water—it could be a sign of low blood pressure.
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
Most people don’t drink enough water—but how much do you actually need?
- Men: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day
- Women: About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day
- You’ll need more if you exercise, sweat a lot, or live in a hot climate
- Some health conditions change the amount of fluids recommended in a day - always check with your provider if you are not sure. (Mayo Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Track your water intake for a day—you might be surprised at how much (or how little) you’re actually drinking!
Signs You Might Be Dehydrated
Not sure if you’re drinking enough water? Your body gives you warning signs.
- Urine color – Light yellow = hydrated, dark yellow = time for more water.
- Dry mouth & lips – Classic dehydration signs.
- Dizziness or headaches – Could be blood pressure changes from dehydration.
- Fatigue – Your body has to work harder when you’re dehydrated. (Cleveland Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Start your morning with a glass of water before coffee—it helps jumpstart hydration for the day.
The Best Drinks (and What to Avoid)
Not all drinks hydrate you the same way. Some can actually make dehydration worse.
✅ Best drinks for hydration:
- Water – The gold standard.
- Herbal teas – Caffeine-free options like chamomile or peppermint count.
- Coconut water – A natural electrolyte booster.
🚫 Drinks That Can Affect Hydration
Some drinks contain water, but they can still dry you out if you have too much.
- Coffee & Caffeinated Tea – A little is okay, but too much caffeine makes you go to the bathroom more, which can lead to fluid loss.
- Sugary Drinks – Sodas, sweet teas, and flavored coffees have a lot of sugar, which can make dehydration and high blood pressure worse.
- Alcohol – Drinks like beer, wine, and liquor can make you lose fluids fast, especially if you don’t drink water with them.
💡 The Bottom Line: Coffee has water in it, so it doesn’t always dehydrate you. But drinking too much alcohol—can make dehydration worse. Always drink extra water to balance coffee and alcohol out!
(Mayo Clinic)
(NIH)
(Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
📌 Need help managing blood pressure? Talk to a Scene Health nurse for expert advice on hydration, diet, and medication management.
Not drinking enough water can impact blood pressure
Ever feel dizzy, tired, or just off when you don’t drink enough water? That’s because dehydration can change your blood pressure, and for some people, this can be dangerous. The good news? Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to help keep your blood pressure steady. Let’s break it down.
Member Story: Learn how John manages his blood pressure.
What Happens to Blood Pressure When You’re Dehydrated?
Dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty—it affects how your heart and blood vessels work.
- Less blood in your body – Your body needs water to make blood. When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops, which can make your blood pressure too low (hypotension).
- Blood vessels tighten – Your body tries to fix the low blood volume by tightening blood vessels, which can actually raise blood pressure over time.
- Your heart works harder – With less blood, your heart has to beat faster to keep things moving. (American Heart Association)
- 💡 Try this: If you feel dizzy when you stand up quickly, drink a glass of water—it could be a sign of low blood pressure.
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
Most people don’t drink enough water—but how much do you actually need?
- Men: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day
- Women: About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day
- You’ll need more if you exercise, sweat a lot, or live in a hot climate
- Some health conditions change the amount of fluids recommended in a day - always check with your provider if you are not sure. (Mayo Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Track your water intake for a day—you might be surprised at how much (or how little) you’re actually drinking!
Signs You Might Be Dehydrated
Not sure if you’re drinking enough water? Your body gives you warning signs.
- Urine color – Light yellow = hydrated, dark yellow = time for more water.
- Dry mouth & lips – Classic dehydration signs.
- Dizziness or headaches – Could be blood pressure changes from dehydration.
- Fatigue – Your body has to work harder when you’re dehydrated. (Cleveland Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Start your morning with a glass of water before coffee—it helps jumpstart hydration for the day.
The Best Drinks (and What to Avoid)
Not all drinks hydrate you the same way. Some can actually make dehydration worse.
✅ Best drinks for hydration:
- Water – The gold standard.
- Herbal teas – Caffeine-free options like chamomile or peppermint count.
- Coconut water – A natural electrolyte booster.
🚫 Drinks That Can Affect Hydration
Some drinks contain water, but they can still dry you out if you have too much.
- Coffee & Caffeinated Tea – A little is okay, but too much caffeine makes you go to the bathroom more, which can lead to fluid loss.
- Sugary Drinks – Sodas, sweet teas, and flavored coffees have a lot of sugar, which can make dehydration and high blood pressure worse.
- Alcohol – Drinks like beer, wine, and liquor can make you lose fluids fast, especially if you don’t drink water with them.
💡 The Bottom Line: Coffee has water in it, so it doesn’t always dehydrate you. But drinking too much alcohol—can make dehydration worse. Always drink extra water to balance coffee and alcohol out!
(Mayo Clinic)
(NIH)
(Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
📌 Need help managing blood pressure? Talk to a Scene Health nurse for expert advice on hydration, diet, and medication management.
Not drinking enough water can impact blood pressure
Ever feel dizzy, tired, or just off when you don’t drink enough water? That’s because dehydration can change your blood pressure, and for some people, this can be dangerous. The good news? Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to help keep your blood pressure steady. Let’s break it down.
Member Story: Learn how John manages his blood pressure.
What Happens to Blood Pressure When You’re Dehydrated?
Dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty—it affects how your heart and blood vessels work.
- Less blood in your body – Your body needs water to make blood. When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops, which can make your blood pressure too low (hypotension).
- Blood vessels tighten – Your body tries to fix the low blood volume by tightening blood vessels, which can actually raise blood pressure over time.
- Your heart works harder – With less blood, your heart has to beat faster to keep things moving. (American Heart Association)
- 💡 Try this: If you feel dizzy when you stand up quickly, drink a glass of water—it could be a sign of low blood pressure.
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
Most people don’t drink enough water—but how much do you actually need?
- Men: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day
- Women: About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day
- You’ll need more if you exercise, sweat a lot, or live in a hot climate
- Some health conditions change the amount of fluids recommended in a day - always check with your provider if you are not sure. (Mayo Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Track your water intake for a day—you might be surprised at how much (or how little) you’re actually drinking!
Signs You Might Be Dehydrated
Not sure if you’re drinking enough water? Your body gives you warning signs.
- Urine color – Light yellow = hydrated, dark yellow = time for more water.
- Dry mouth & lips – Classic dehydration signs.
- Dizziness or headaches – Could be blood pressure changes from dehydration.
- Fatigue – Your body has to work harder when you’re dehydrated. (Cleveland Clinic)
- 💡 Try this: Start your morning with a glass of water before coffee—it helps jumpstart hydration for the day.
The Best Drinks (and What to Avoid)
Not all drinks hydrate you the same way. Some can actually make dehydration worse.
✅ Best drinks for hydration:
- Water – The gold standard.
- Herbal teas – Caffeine-free options like chamomile or peppermint count.
- Coconut water – A natural electrolyte booster.
🚫 Drinks That Can Affect Hydration
Some drinks contain water, but they can still dry you out if you have too much.
- Coffee & Caffeinated Tea – A little is okay, but too much caffeine makes you go to the bathroom more, which can lead to fluid loss.
- Sugary Drinks – Sodas, sweet teas, and flavored coffees have a lot of sugar, which can make dehydration and high blood pressure worse.
- Alcohol – Drinks like beer, wine, and liquor can make you lose fluids fast, especially if you don’t drink water with them.
💡 The Bottom Line: Coffee has water in it, so it doesn’t always dehydrate you. But drinking too much alcohol—can make dehydration worse. Always drink extra water to balance coffee and alcohol out!
(Mayo Clinic)
(NIH)
(Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
📌 Need help managing blood pressure? Talk to a Scene Health nurse for expert advice on hydration, diet, and medication management.
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