High Blood Pressure: To remain healthy, it is very important for any person to have a good BP level. Both increase or decrease in BP can harm health. If your blood pressure remains high or falls repeatedly, you should not ignore it and consult a doctor. A healthy diet, proper lifestyle and hydration are essential to control both low and high blood pressure. It is believed that drinking water reduces BP. If this is really so, let us know about it from the experts. Dr. Vineet Banga is giving this information. He is the Director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Faridabad.

Can drinking water reduce blood pressure?

• Drinking water can help control BP, although it should not be considered the only solution.
• Many factors influence BP regulation. Hydration is important in this.
• When our body is properly hydrated, the blood vessels relax and due to this blood flows easily and helps in reducing BP.
• At the same time, when there is a lack of water in your body, it thickens the blood and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. This may increase BP.
• When you drink adequate amount of water throughout the day, it improves kidney functioning. Blood volume and sodium levels need to be controlled.
• When the kidneys are functioning properly, they help remove excess salt from the body. This reduces stress on blood vessels and keeps BP under control.
• However, drinking water is beneficial to control BP. But, it is also important to understand that BP cannot be controlled just by drinking water.
• If your BP is high then you should take proper diet. The amount of sodium in food should be kept low. Along with this, do regular exercise and also take medicines prescribed by the doctor.
• Staying hydrated is important for BP and heart health. But, it is wrong to consider this as the only solution.