Our hearts work hard every day, tirelessly pumping blood and oxygen so we can live active, healthy lives. February is the month of love and heart health awareness, so we are exploring how we can support our cardiovascular system with proper nutrition and hydration.

The quality of the water we drink makes a surprising difference! Read on to learn how clean water connects to a happy heart. We also have a few discounts to show our love!

The Role of Hydration in a Healthy Heart

Water might seem simple, but it impacts virtually every function in our body. Our heart is no exception! Proper hydration helps regulate body temperature and blood pressure, allowing our ticker to operate at optimal levels. A well-hydrated heart is more efficient at pumping blood and oxygen to all of our tissues and organs.

Staying hydrated makes blood thinner and easier to pump through vessels and chambers. Well-hydrated blood flows smoothly, keeping the cardiovascular system tension-free. But without adequate fluid levels, blood thickens into a viscous state that resists flow. This increased thickness forces the heart to pump harder to push blood through narrowed vessels, leading to high blood pressure and added strain.

As such, dehydration forces the heart to work harder, increasing strain and fatigue on this vital muscle. Drinking enough water is critical to keeping our hearts happy! But not just any water will do.

Consequences of Poor Hydration and Water Quality

Unfortunately, poor hydration or contaminated water can negatively affect our health. In some cases, poor water quality deters us from drinking enough fluids. After all, no one wants to drink dirty water! It doesn't have that same refreshing appeal as clean, filtered water. Yet, dehydration can set in and impact our heart health if we avoid drinking water due to quality concerns.

As we saw above, dehydration makes the blood thicker. And that leads to hypertension (high blood pressure). This increased strain on our cardiovascular system can contribute to other issues like coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythms, or even strokes.

But dehydration isn't the only water worry for our hearts. The actual quality and contaminants in our drinking water also pose a risk. For example, excessive minerals like sodium or arsenic introduce more particles for blood to navigate. 

Additionally, specific toxins may generate free radicals and inflammation linked to heart disease. So clean, contaminant-free water supports whole body health and happy hearts!

When the heart struggles to pump dehydrated blood, the surrounding muscle tissue becomes overworked and distressed. This fatigue causes tiny micro-tears and oxidative damage. The body tries patching these spots with collagen scar tissue, but over time, this creates stiffness and rigidity that reduce output. That's why prolonged dehydration can facilitate congestive heart failure. 

How Water Quality Impacts Heart Health

Now that we understand why water matters for our heart let's explore common contaminants that directly affect our cardiovascular system. Major culprits include lead, arsenic, and nitrates. Believe it or not, these contaminants can seep into our water supply through natural sources, agricultural run-off, or even our homes' pipes. 

Lead

This heavy metal is toxic to humans, especially children. It accumulates in our bodies over time, eventually reaching blood and soft tissues like our heart. Here, it can cause oxidative damage, negatively impacting heart rhythms.

The heart relies on a complex system of electrical pulses from pacemaker cells to maintain steady contraction and relaxation cycles. However, lead exposure disrupts these signals, facilitating arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. The resulting inconsistent blood flow strains the cardiovascular system and reduces oxygen delivery.

Lead is primarily found in older homes with outdated plumbing systems. The pipes (which were once coated with lead) can corrode, leaching this contaminant into our tap water. Unfortunately, you cannot taste, smell, or see lead in water. It's recommended to have your home's plumbing inspected and replaced if necessary to reduce lead exposure.

Arsenic

Arsenic occurs naturally in some groundwater sources. It also causes oxidative stress and inflammation. Over time, these effects manifest in thickened or damaged blood vessels around the heart. One study found that participants with normal blood pressure had 1.2 times higher odds of hypertrophy after doubling their exposure to arsenic.

This mineral acts as an endocrine disruptor, negatively impacting essential hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. Imbalances in these chemicals correlate with elevated heart disease risk from plaque buildup and inflamed arteries. In other words, arsenic paves the pathway for a heart attack. It is definitely something to avoid. 

Nitrates

Run-off from heavily fertilized farms introduces nitrates into many water systems. When consumed, nitrates can decrease blood oxygen levels and may form carcinogenic compounds. Both effects strain the heart as our body tries to compensate.

Nitrates overstimulate the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism. Excess thyroid hormones place higher demands on the heart, forcing it into overdrive. This strains the cardiovascular system over time. 

How to Avoid Contaminated Water

Knowledge truly is power when it comes to drinking water contaminants that hurt our heart health. Once aware of the risks, we can take simple but empowering actions to filter out toxins before they ever reach our glass and bloodstream. It's about working smarter, not harder, for healthy hydration!

Temporary measures like bottled water

Bottled water provides an easy way to avoid questionable compounds from some tap water sources. But there are downsides to this stopgap solution. First, bottled options get very expensive over time. Plus, most bottled waters come packaged in single-use plastics that pile up in landfills and oceans. That is not good for the environment or our health in the long run.

THE SOLUTION: Whole-house water filtration systems

For convenient and eco-friendly filtered water from every tap, consider installing an under-sink reverse osmosis system or whole-house filtration system. These solutions are certified to reduce up to 99% of contaminants without the plastic waste!

The MicroMax 8500 Reverse Osmosis Systems uses selective membranes that only allow water molecules to pass through while blocking minerals and other compounds. Activated carbon filters have a massive interior surface area that traps toxins through adsorption. Just like a sponge soaking up a spill! Together, these methods effectively filter out dangerous heart toxins and improve water's taste and odor.

Final Recommendations for Supporting Cardiovascular Health

Keep your heart happy with these simple tips:

• Drink 2.7L (11.5 cups) or 3.7L (15.5) cups of water daily for women and men respectively. Carry a refillable bottle as a reminder!
• Install whole-house filtration and reverse osmosis to remove toxins from drinking water.
• Monitor the mineral content in your water to avoid excess sodium, arsenic, etc.
• Watch for signs of dehydration like dizziness or dark urine.

Our hearts work 24/7 to give us health and life. This February, show your ticker some love! Ensure adequate hydration with clean, contaminant-free water. 

Bottom Line

The water we drink significantly impacts overall wellness and heart health. Contaminants introduce oxidative damage and strain, while dehydration forces the cardiovascular system to work harder. As we celebrate love this month, give your heart some TLC with proper hydration and filtered water!

The Goodfor Company offers thorough water testing in San Diego and whole-home filtration systems tailored to your needs. Contact us today to discuss your options!

Deals with February! 

To show our love and encourage healthy hearts we are offering 2 deals on our water filtration products. 

Shower Filter BOGO OFFER: Use code BOGOLOVE for buy one shower filter get one free! 



If you would like to purchase any other products on the site you can receive 15% off with code GOODLOVE15 for reading this blog!