What is blood viscosity
Blood viscosity is a measure of the thickness of blood. The thinner the blood, the less it resists flow, moving smoothly throughout the body. Some studies have linked moderate to high blood viscosity with cardiovascular problems and sometimes people can develop a medical condition known as hyperviscosity syndrome. In people with this condition, thickened blood leads to health problems ranging from visual anomalies to coma. Several factors are involved in blood viscosity. The composition of the blood is one factor. The more fluid in the blood, the thinner it will be. High counts of red blood cells and particles lead to an increase in blood thickness. Fats that circulate in the blood can also play a role in making it thicker or thinner, with high concentrations of fats increasing viscosity.
