20-year-old bodybuilder Jodi Vance dies due to severe dehydration; heart health lessons from the tragic death

The death of a 20-year-old bodybuilder Jodi Vance owing to heart complications arising from severe dehydration has sent shockwaves across the bodybuilding community. Her family, still in shock, said her death was "sudden and unexpected".
There has been a rise in the cases of young people succumbing to sudden cardiac events. But Vance's death has put a spotlight on the heart health of bodybuilders, who are at an increased risk of such tragedies due to severe dehydration. This can happen due to a dangerous practice among bodybuilders of dehydrating their bodies ahead of a competition.
“Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration,” her family said in a statement. “Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her.”

Ryan Lewin, a fat loss and gym coach explained in a write-up how it is a common practice among bodybuilders to dramatically increase their water intake to 10-12 litres a day in the final week of the competition. This is drastically reduced during the final 12-24 hours of the competitors to dehydrate the body. Dehydration can increase the ‘ripped’ appearance of the body. However, this could wreak havoc for their heart health.
Vance, also a coach, was attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio at the time of her death as per reports. She was taken to a hospital when she started feeling sick.
Dehydration can make the blood more thicker and viscous, which can increase the load on the heart. The heart has to pump harder to circulate blood efficiently, which could lead to cardiovascular issues. The increase in heart rate and drop in blood pressure can lead to dizziness and fainting.
A in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation explores how dehydration, increased sympathetic drive, and electrolyte imbalances put pressure on the heart muscle, potentially leading to sudden cardiac death in elite athletes. This emphasizes the heightened risk faced by athletes engaging in intense physical activity without adequate hydration.
Severe dehydration can disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance, which is important to maintain proper heart function. It can also throw off the balance of minerals like potassium, sodium, and magnesium that help regulate heart rhythm and muscle function. This can increase the risk of arrhythmias or , which can be dangerous, particularly during intense physical activity like bodybuilding or endurance sports.
In cases of extreme dehydration, the strain on the cardiovascular system can contribute to sudden cardiac events, especially if there is electrolyte imbalances or heatstroke.
The heartbroken family of the young athlete is struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss. “She was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be missed every single day,” her family said.
"If anyone takes anything from this, please put your heath first," Vance's family wrote on Instagram.
Hyperkalemia is a medical condition characterized by elevated levels of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate muscle function, nerve signals, and heart rhythms. However, excessive potassium can disrupt these processes, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, or even cardiac arrest in severe cases. Common causes include kidney dysfunction, certain medications, or excessive potassium intake. Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests, and treatment may involve dietary adjustments, medications, or dialysis in critical situations. Hyperkalemia requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications and maintain a healthy potassium balance in the body.
Justin Mihaly, Vance's coach, said she was taking two "extremely hazardous" substances without the knowledge or her family and friends. In an Instagram video Mihaly explains the dangers of diuretics or water pills.
"Recently, her health had become quite concerning and now we know why, now we have the answers," Mihaly said in a video on Instagram. "Many people who loved Jodi, including myself, tried to get her to pull off the gas pedal a bit, and anyone who knows Jodi knows how challenging that would be."

"Hyperkalemia is where potassium levels in the blood becomes really high. They start impairing electrical signals which is what control muscle contractions including the heart which is something that is supposed to happen autonomously without us thinking about it. This causes sudden cardiac arrest," he said.