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In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling
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The role of chronic hyperviscosity in vascular disease

Gregory Sloop1, Ralph E Holsworth2, Joseph J Weidman3

  • 1Department of Pathology, Benefis Hospitals, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA bigdaddypathologist@myway.com.

Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease
|September 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Blood viscosity plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension. Improving blood viscosity through methods such as therapeutic phlebotomy can reduce blood pressure and glucose levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
  • Hematology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • The pathogenesis of major cardiovascular diseases is incompletely understood, with the role of blood viscosity often overlooked.
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) increases blood viscosity, promoting atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) decreases blood viscosity, offering protection against atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the overlooked role of blood viscosity in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
  • To investigate the mechanisms by which LDL and HDL influence blood viscosity and cardiovascular health.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of modulating blood viscosity for managing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on blood rheology and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of the proposed mechanisms linking blood viscosity to atherosclerosis, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Examination of the effects of therapeutic phlebotomy on blood pressure and glucose levels.

Main Results:

  • Blood viscosity significantly contributes to atherosclerosis by increasing it in low-flow areas, predisposing to thrombosis.
  • Atherosclerotic plaques are proposed to be organized mural thrombi.
  • Increased blood viscosity contributes to hypertension via elevated systemic vascular resistance.
  • Hyperviscosity reduces skeletal muscle perfusion and glucose utilization, leading to hyperglycemia in metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions:

  • Blood viscosity is a crucial, yet often overlooked, factor in the pathogenesis of major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
  • Therapeutic phlebotomy demonstrates potential in managing hypertension and hyperglycemia by improving blood viscosity.
  • Further research into blood viscosity modulation could offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Keywords:
atherosclerosisblood viscosityhypertensionmetabolic syndromethrombosis

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