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Blood viscosity parameters in coronary heart disease: effect of fish oil supplementation
Insights
Coronary heart disease patients have higher blood viscosity due to plasma viscosity, not red blood cell issues. Omega-3 fatty acids improved blood viscosity but did not normalize it.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Blood viscosity is a critical factor in cardiovascular health.
- Elevated blood viscosity is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate blood viscosity parameters in men with CHD.
- To investigate the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood viscosity in CHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Assessed whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in 20 men with CHD and 15 controls.
- Measured erythrocyte deformability at a standardized hematocrit.
- Administered 1.5 g of omega-3 fatty acids daily to CHD patients for 6 weeks.
Main Results:
- CHD patients exhibited significantly higher whole blood viscosity (low and high shear rate) and plasma viscosity compared to controls.
- Erythrocyte deformability was within normal limits in CHD patients.
- Omega-3 supplementation significantly improved whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in CHD patients, though normalization was not achieved.
Conclusions:
- Increased blood viscosity in CHD is primarily linked to elevated plasma viscosity, not impaired erythrocyte deformability.
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation shows potential in improving blood viscosity parameters in CHD patients.
Abstract:
We have evaluated blood viscosity parameters in 20 men suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) and in 15 control subjects. Whole blood viscosity at a standardized haematocrit of 45% was significantly increased in the CHD-patients, both at low (p less than 0.001) and high (p less than 0.05) shear rate. The increased whole blood viscosity in these patients was explained by an increased plasma viscosity (p less than 0.01), while the erythrocyte suspension viscosity values at a standardized haematocrit of 70%, reflecting erythrocyte deformability, were within the normal range. We have studied the effects of a daily supplementation of 1.5 g omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood viscosity in the CHD patients. After 6 weeks of treatment whole blood viscosity, at low and high shear rate, and plasma viscosity were significantly improved (all p less than 0.05), although not normalized. There was no effect of the fish oil on erythrocyte deformability.