Cardiovascular disease is not only the number one killer of adults, but is associated with a host of chronic conditions that impact the quality of life. With an aging population, accurate, early detection of risk factors that increase the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and related conditions is essential. Meridian Valley Lab is pleased to be an innovator in this field, offering the only commercially-available multi-point blood viscosity test. In
addition, MVL offers testing for a wide array of cardiovascular risk markers.
Blood is a non-Newtonian fluid with a viscosity that changes with velocity. Blood flowing fast (such as at systole) is less viscous than slower flowing blood (diastole). Blood viscosity at diastole is anywhere from 2-1/2 to six times higher than blood at systole. Viscous blood is abrasive and damages blood vessel walls, contributing to the initiation of the atherosclerotic process. Whole blood viscosity assessment is most useful when both diastolic and systolic viscosity are measured.
Blood viscosity is the only biological parameter that has been correlated with all of the major cardiovascular risk factors including male gender, age, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and LDL cholesterol. It is inversely correlated with HDL cholesterol. However, blood viscosity is a statistically independent ÃÆâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€ â€ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢€Å¾Ã‚¢ÃƒÆ’Æâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’Įâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’Įâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ and in certain ways, much stronger ÃÆâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€ â€ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢€Å¾Ã‚¢ÃƒÆ’Æâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’Įâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’Įâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Blood viscosity predicts heart attacks, strokes and mortality from heart disease independent of these other risk factors.
The role that blood viscosity plays in cardiovascular health is highly significant. Thicker, stickier blood is more abrasive and damages arterial walls. Thus, it not only affects how hard the heart has to work to circulate the blood, but also contributes to inflammation of the intimal lining of the vessels. It contributes to endothelial dysfunction, growth of atherosclerotic lesions, and plaque rupture. In addition, blood viscosity directly modulates peripheral vascular resistance. Impaired blood flow due to hyperviscosity leads to decreased oxygen and nutrients delivered to the tissues, affecting critical areas such as the brain, eyes, and kidneys.
Do you have symptoms of high blood viscosity?
- Personal or family history of heart disease, stroke, hypertension or diabetes
- Signs of decreasing cognitive function
- Migraines
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Ocular disorders such as macular degeneration or glaucoma
- Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation or chronic joint pain
- RaynaudÃÆâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€ â€ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢€Å¾Ã‚¢ÃƒÆ’Æâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’Įâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’†â€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ÃƒÆ’ĉ€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢ÃƒÆ’Æâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’â€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢€ÃƒÆ’ĉ€Ã‚¦Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¾ÃƒÆ’Æâ€â„¢ÃƒÆ’¢€Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚¡ÃƒÆ’â€Ã…¡Ãƒâ€Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚¢s syndrome
- Lupus
- Women with a history of taking oral contraceptives, especially those designed to decrease the frequency of menstrual periods
- Women who have had a hysterectomy, have irregular periods or are menopausal
- Women with a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia, especially those who are currently pregnant
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Gout
If you are on any medications please consult with your physician or a Meridian Valley Lab respresentative before ordering these profiles as some medications may effect results |
