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The tragic death of 20-year-old bodybuilder Jodi Vance, who passed away on February 27, due to heart complications from extreme dehydration, has raised alarm in the fitness community. Her grieving family is calling on athletes to put health above intense exercise.
Her family put an Instagram post showing their grief, and they said, "For those that haven’t heard yet, Jodi passed away yesterday afternoon. Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her. She was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected. Please give her family time to process this loss in peace. If anyone takes anything from this, please put your heath first."
Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her.
Jodie Vance's Family
The Risky Bodybuilding Practice of Dehydration
Bodybuilders tend to dehydrate heavily prior to events in order to increase muscle definition. Although this method can produce a "ripped" appearance, it is highly stressful on the heart.
Vance, a fitness coach as well, was at the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio when she started to feel sick. She could not be saved and died of heart failure caused by dehydration.
How severe dehydration impacts the heart.
1. Thick Blood and Increased Heart Stress
Dehydration causes blood to be thicker and more viscous, which compels the heart to pump harder. This raises heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and may result in dizziness or fainting.
2. Electrolyte Imbalance and Cardiac Risk
A European Journal of Clinical Investigation study points out that dehydration and electrolyte disturbances exert a significant stress on the heart, and they enhance the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest among athletes. Potassium, sodium, and magnesium are some of the key electrolytes required for normal heart function. Their imbalance is capable of triggering life-threatening arrhythmias during strenuous activity. [2]
3. Hyperkalemia - A Hidden Danger
Jodi Vance's trainer, Justin Mihly, disclosed that she was consuming two illicit substances secretly without the knowledge of her family. He further stated via his Instagram handle:
One of the risks she faced is hyperkalemia, or the condition in which there is excessive potassium that hampers the functioning of the heart and can cause cardiac arrest. Mihly revealed that elevated levels of potassium interfere with the contraction of muscles, including the autonomously working muscles of the heart.
Recently, her health had become quite concerning, and now we know why; now we have the answers. 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.
Justin Mihly, Jodie Vance's Trainer
A message from Judy's family
Venice's devastated family is calling on athletes to put their health first. "She was an amazing person inside and out and will be missed every day," they stated.
"If anyone takes anything from her, please prioritize your health," they posted on Instagram."
References:
Mont, Lluis, Antoni Bayés de Luna, and Josep Brugada. "Why Does Sudden Cardiac Death Occur in Elite Athletes?" The Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (2025). Accessed February 26, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/tre.943.
"Bodybuilder Jodi Vance Dead at 20 Due to Severe Dehydration." E! Online. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.eonline.com/news/1414329/bodybuilder-jodi-vance-dead-at-20-due-to-severe-dehydration.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)
