A 32-year-old CEO, known for running marathons and living an active lifestyle, was recently rushed to the emergency room after a sudden heart attack. What puzzled doctors initially was that there were no prior heart conditions, no lifestyle red flags—until a deeper look into the bloodwork showed something alarming.
His haemoglobin levels had shot up to 18 g/dL, far beyond the healthy limit of 17.2 g/dL. That was a major clue. His blood had turned unusually thick—a classic result of severe dehydration. This stickiness led to blockages in the arteries, triggering the heart attack. As per The Indian Express, quick treatment with blood thinners and intravenous fluids prevented long-term damage.
But what happened here isn’t a one-in-a-million case. It’s a wake-up call.
Thick blood and the heart’s struggle
Dehydration isn’t just about feeling thirsty or having dry lips. Inside the body, water helps keep blood flowing smoothly. When there’s not enough of it, the blood becomes concentrated and sluggish, like trying to sip honey through a straw.
This thicker blood puts extra pressure on the heart, forcing it to work harder. In some cases, especially during intense physical activity or heat exposure, this can trigger a clot or even cause a heart attack.
The CEO’s case shows just how quietly this can build up—even in someone who runs marathons.
Not all symptoms shout for attention
The signs of dehydration don’t always scream. Often, they whisper—and go unheard.
- Sudden drop in stamina, even when the body is well-trained
- Headaches that don’t feel like normal stress pains
- Heart palpitations or fluttering sensations during or after workouts
- Cramping without much exertion, especially in calves or feet
- Unusually dark-coloured urine, not just once but consistently
These signals are easy to brush off as “overwork” or “just a hot day,” but they often point to something more serious. Dehydration builds up silently—and by the time thirst is felt, the body might already be running dry.
What the body really needs beyond just drinking water
Hydration isn’t just about gulping down a litre of water at once. It’s about consistent intake throughout the day and, importantly, replacing lost minerals.
During long hours in air-conditioned offices or after intense workouts, the body loses electrolytes like sodium and potassium. These aren’t replaced by plain water alone. That’s where coconut water, lime juice with a pinch of salt, or ORS (oral rehydration solutions) come in.
What’s mostly overlooked is that overhydration with plain water can also flush out salts, worsening fatigue. Balance is the real goal.
Weather, workouts, and water
A common mistake among fitness enthusiasts is not adjusting hydration with the seasons. Running the same 10K in March is not the same as doing it in May.
Increased heat, stress, and sweat loss demand tailored hydration routines. Even people in air-conditioned spaces lose water through skin evaporation—something rarely noticed.
Adding a hydration habit check into daily routines—like noting urine colour or sipping at intervals—can silently guard the heart against major breakdowns.
Dehydration-heart attack link isn’t a rare event anymore
Stories like the CEO’s may sound rare, but hospitals are increasingly seeing fit individuals with no risk factors landing in ICUs due to dehydration-induced blood thickening.
This calls for a mindset shift: that fitness doesn’t override basic physiology. Muscles might be strong, but without enough fluid, even a healthy heart can give out.
Doctors who treated the CEO didn’t need a stent. They used fluids and blood thinners—and the haemoglobin level returned to a normal 13 g/dL. That’s how reversible it can be—if caught in time.