What does it mean when blood is viscous?
Disease description:
Recently, I felt unwell and went to see a doctor. The doctor said it was caused by blood viscosity. What exactly is blood viscosity?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Blood viscosity refers to a condition in which the concentration of various components in the blood is too high or the deformability of red blood cells is reduced, leading to decreased blood flow.
Main causes of blood viscosity:
1. Dehydration: insufficient water intake or significant fluid loss due to excessive sweating, diarrhea, or other causes leads to reduced body fluids, resulting in blood concentration.
2. Dietary habits: consuming excessive high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, such as fried chicken and braised pork, increases fat levels in the blood, causing blood viscosity.
3. Increased red blood cells: for example, in high-altitude environments, the body produces more red blood cells to adapt to the low-oxygen conditions, resulting in blood viscosity.
4. Inflammation and infection: chronic inflammation or
6. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, high-fat diet, and infection states can all cause increased blood viscosity.
5. Disease factors: conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases may also lead to increased blood viscosity and can worsen blood viscosity.
To prevent blood viscosity, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, avoid prolonged sitting, ensure adequate water intake, and undergo regular medical checkups to monitor blood indicators.
