What is blood viscosity? How to reduce blood viscosity?

Viscosity of blood is one of the indicators used to evaluate thrombotic pathology and should often be tested. This indicator is produced by red blood cells and protein components present in the blood plasma. Therefore, the viscosity of blood in each person is different. So what is the viscosity of blood? How to reduce blood viscosity?

What is blood viscosity? How to reduce blood viscosity?

Blood biochemistry

Blood is a liquid tissue with a large weight (accounting for 7% – 10% of the total body weight) and is continuously circulated from the heart to tissues and organs throughout the body.

Blood is red from red blood cells, has a salty taste, and is a viscous liquid. Specifically, the composition of blood includes blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets), extracellular fluid that is plasma (containing proteins, hormones and water).

Blood circulates continuously in the body and travels to tissues through the system of veins and arteries in the body, performing important functions. In particular, the main functions can be mentioned as protecting the body, regulating body temperature, supporting excretion, providing nutrition, etc.

Blood biochemistry

In it, the role of protecting the body from white blood cells, antibodies and the buffer system. Hormones present in plasma will participate in chemical processes in the body, regulating the activities of organs. The respiratory role of the blood is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells and receive CO2 from the cells back for the lungs to expel.

To perform these roles, blood must not only function to maintain a stable concentration of components, but also have special physico-chemical properties. In particular, the physico-chemical properties of blood, namely density, blood viscosity and blood pressure, patients are also at risk of experiencing different health problems.

What is blood viscosity?

Viscosity of blood is determined by red blood cells and the protein composition of plasma. The normal value of blood viscosity is 2.3 – 4.1 centipoise at 37 degrees C. Viscosity will increase when the body loses water by diarrhea, loss of sweat during labor or sudden cold, etc.

In cases of dehydration, not only does the viscosity change, but it is also accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure and imbalanced homeostasis. Therefore, it is necessary to receive physiological solutions regularly for the body.

The viscosity of blood depends on many different factors such as:

Number of cellular components

What is blood viscosity?

Polycythemia vera or thrombocytosis, a severe increase in white blood cell count will both increase blood viscosity.

The degree of blood concentration

Hemoconcentration will often be accompanied by increased blood viscosity.

The ability to deform erythrocytes

The mean diameter of a capillary is generally < 5 μ, whereas the mean diameter of that red blood cell is 7-8 μ. Therefore, red blood cells will have to change shape to adapt, being able to pass through the peripheral capillaries. Certain diseases often deform red blood cells: sickle cell anemia reduces the ability of red blood cells to change shape with secondary increase in blood viscosity.

The aggregation ability of erythrocytes

Aggregation proteins that will be able to bind red blood cells together to form erythrocytes are fibrinogen, globulins, lipoprotein very low density and circulating immune complexes. This aggregation of red blood cells can cause decreased blood flow and increased blood viscosity.

Plasma viscosity

Increasing high molecular weight proteins can increase plasma viscosity. This will increase blood viscosity. In addition, these proteins often form erythrocytes and are prone to thrombotic complications.

What is the viscosity of blood?

Viscosity of blood is determined by red blood cells and protein components present in plasma. The normal value of blood viscosity is 2.3 – 4.1 centipoise at 37 degrees Celsius.

What is the viscosity of blood?

The viscosity of blood will increase when the body loses water due to diarrhea, loss of sweat when working or a sudden cold, etc.

The meaning of measuring the viscosity of blood

There are many diseases that are often associated with thrombotic complications and conditions of hyperviscosity of the blood. Increases erythrocyte aggregation or reduces the ability of red blood cells to change their shape. Among these diseases, can include diabetes, high blood pressure or blood lipids. However, it is often difficult to determine whether abnormalities detected are the cause or effect of clinical thrombotic events.

The blood viscosity test is very helpful in the evaluation of thrombotic diseases. Especially valuable for patients with diabetes, hypertension, polycythemia vera, hypercholesterolemia, arteritis of the lower extremities, hypergammaglobulinemia, etc. Regularly testing blood viscosity will help detect the disease earlier and timely treatment.

Blood performs important functions in the body. One of the important physicochemical properties of blood is its viscosity, which is determined by red blood cells and the protein components present in the plasma. Therefore, blood viscosity testing is of great value in the evaluation of thrombotic pathology.

When do we need to measure blood viscosity?

When do we need to measure blood viscosity?

Abnormal blood viscosity will be associated with a number of diseases that can cause thrombotic complications or change the shape of red blood cells, increasing the risk of red blood cell aggregation and blood clot formation. Common diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or hyperlipidemia, etc.

However, based on blood viscosity alone, it is difficult to determine the cause of the disease. Or difficult to distinguish from cases of increased blood viscosity or other temporary causes. This puts the patient at risk for the consequences of thromboembolic events.

In contrast, in the diagnostic evaluation of thrombotic diseases, blood viscosity testing will often be ordered. Specifically, including: diabetes, high cholesterol, polycythemia vera, arteritis of the lower extremities, hypergammaglobulinemia, etc. It should be combined with other tests to decide on the diagnosis and have an appropriate treatment plan.

Thus, blood plays an extremely important role in the life and health of the body. Measuring blood viscosity is one of the indicators that needs to be maintained stably. The change in blood viscosity is related to the composition of red blood cells and blood proteins. Therefore, blood viscosity index is abnormal, we need to go to the doctor to determine the cause, treat to avoid disease progression or dangerous complications.

What is hyperviscosity syndrome?

Hyperviscosity syndrome is a condition that makes it impossible for blood to flow freely through the arteries.

In this syndrome, blockage of the arteries occurs due to too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or proteins in the blood. The disease can also occur when red blood cells have an abnormal shape, such as sickle cell anemia.

Increased blood viscosity can occur in both children and adults. In children, the disease can affect their growth by reducing blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, intestines, kidneys and brain. In adults, this syndrome can also be seen with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus. May also occur with blood cancers, lymphoma and leukemia.

Symptom

Symptoms associated with this condition include headaches, convulsions, and a red rash on the skin. If your baby is unusually sleepy or doesn’t want to feed, this is a sign that something is wrong.

What is hyperviscosity syndrome?

In general, the symptoms associated with this condition are the result of complications that occur when vital organs do not receive enough oxygen from the blood. Other symptoms of hyperviscosity include:

• Visual disturbances, cornea.
• Dizziness, nausea.
• Chest tightness accompanied by shortness of breath.

Reason

Neonatal hyperviscosity syndrome is diagnosed when the erythrocyte count is above 65%. The causes of neonatal illness are often due to abnormalities that arise during pregnancy or labor, including:

• Late clamping of the umbilical cord.
• Diseases inherited from grandparents and parents.
• Genetic problems such as Down syndrome.
• Gestational diabetes.

Who is at risk for hyperviscosity syndrome?

The disease usually affects infants, but can also affect adults. The severity of the disease depends on the cause.

Young children are at higher risk for hyperviscosity syndrome if there is a family history of the condition.

In addition, people with a history of severe bone marrow disease are also at a higher risk of developing this syndrome.

In adults, hyperviscosity syndrome will often appear in people with blood diseases, such as leukemia. The treatment regimens must also be very strict and continuously monitor the effectiveness of treatment to see if there is an improvement in blood viscosity. For severe diseases, plasma separation can be used.

How to reduce blood viscosity?

To reduce blood viscosity, you can use foods rich in antioxidants, fiber and foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Foods containing antioxidants

Foods containing antioxidants help reduce blood viscosity

Because oxidation is one of the main causes of damage to blood vessels. Once the blood vessels are damaged, cholesterol will be more easily deposited, damaging to human health.

Therefore, it is necessary to supplement foods rich in antioxidants. This will inhibit the occurrence of oxidation in the body and protect blood vessels.

Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and other trace elements Selenium and zinc are antioxidants.

Foods high in cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids

Cholesterol needs to be combined with unsaturated fatty acids to circulate with the blood. Without unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol will tend to combine with saturated fatty acids, hence poor fluidity. Because of the tendency to deposit on the walls of blood vessels and form lipid plaques.

• Vegetables: Garlic, onions, green onions and ginger are rich in unsaturated fatty acids;
• Fish: Sea fish, shellfish are foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids;
• Milk: Yogurt and nut milks.

Foods rich in fiber

Eating a lot of fiber is also an effective way to reduce blood viscosity

Fiber is a plant-based component that cannot be digested by the body. Fiber also plays a role in hindering the absorption of nutrients such as glucose, cholesterol, lipids, reducing blood cholesterol, ..

Alkaline ionized water

Besides, alkaline ionized water It is also a drink that helps reduce blood viscosity effectively. The superior properties of alkaline ionized water (which other types of water do not have) are as follows:

• When blood has PH High (alkaline) blood contains more oxygen than blood with a low pH (acidic) and blood that is also highly alkaline will have a high viscosity to support the heart without pumping hard, reducing the burden on the heart.
• Calcium ions (minerals) present in alkaline ionized water can dissolve plaque as well as cholesterol accumulated in artery walls. Helps to open the artery lumen and transport blood more smoothly and easily.

Above is information about blood viscosity sent to readers. Please note the addition of healthy foods and blood viscosity to have a healthy body!