researchers reported that higher serum sodium concentration in middle age was significantly associated with both conditions at the 25-year mark, even after accounting for other factors that impact heart health, including age, blood pressure, kidney function, blood cholesterol, blood glucose, body mass index, sex and smoking status. each 1 mmol/l increase in the concentration of serum sodium in midlife raised the odds of left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure by 1.20 and 1.11, respectively, a quarter century later.
the risk of experiencing both conditions between the ages of 70 and 90 increased once an individual’s serum sodium surpassed 142 mmol/l 25 years earlier. “the results suggest that good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure,” dmitrieva said. “in addition, our finding that serum sodium exceeding 142mmol/l increases the risk of adverse effects in the heart may help to identify people who could benefit from an evaluation of their hydration level.
“this sodium level is within the normal range and would not be labelled as abnormal in lab test results but could be used by physicians during regular physical exams to identify people whose usual fluid intake should be assessed.”