Factors affecting blood viscosity

Factors Affecting Blood Viscosity

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Introduction  This refers to measurement of stickiness and

thickness of the blood of a patient.

 Blood viscosity is a crucial hemodynamic

biomarker.

 It determines friction against blood vessels.  It also determine quantity of the oxygen that is

delivered to organs/tissues.

 It also verifies the degree of the hearts working.

Correlation of Blood viscosity and risk factors of cardiovascular disease  There is a link between the above two.  Risk factors of cardiovascular disease are: o smoking o age o sex o inflammation o high blood pressure o insulin resistance

o low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol o high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol  High blood viscosity is an independent

indicator of the cardiovascular events in the body.

 High levels of blood viscosity are predictors of

stroke.

 This is when major risk factors have been

controlled.

Eactors that affect blood viscosity  Plasma and Water  Are considered Newtonian fluids.  Their viscosity remains at constant level.  This is if whether they are flowing slowly or

fast .

 Whole blood is not a Newtonian fluid.  Its viscosity keeps changing with velocity.

 White cells, platelets and red cells which increase

the viscosity of blood further.

 Red cells affect blood viscosity the most.  Increase in red cells in the blood causes a relative

increase in blood viscosity.

 Hematocrit causes about 50 percent difference in

blood viscosity.

 This is from normal viscosity to high viscosity.

Erythrocyte Deformability  It also affects blood viscosity.  Refers to ability of the red blood cells to

elongate a high velocity.

 They as well as fold and bend to pass via slender

passage ways in the capillaries.

 It makes red blood cells have high flexibility.  They therefore cause low blood viscosity.  Young red blood cells have higher flexibility than

older ones

Erythrocyte Aggregation  This also affects blood viscosity .  It is the tendency of the red blood cells to attract each

other.

 They do end up sticking together.  The tendency of the red blood cells to aggregate is

usually complex.

 Their deformability and plasma proteins have a role

to play in erythrocyte aggregation.

 Temperature also affects blood viscosity

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