Heart Health - Viscosity Test

Has your doctor ever mentioned this test? Does he know the significance of it? Probably not, as it is one of the tests one would like done BEFORE having a heart attack or stroke and as one of the indicators of cardiovascular health.

In the U.S. we deal largely in Sick-Care (don't do anything until there is a problem) rather than Health-Care (optimize health and prevent problems/illness). That is why putting a few trillion more bucks in our $ick-care system just isn't going to help! . . that's the commercial, now on with it.

From Wikipedia: "elevation of plasma viscosity correlates to the progression of coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. Anemia can lead to decrease blood viscosity, which may lead to heart failure."

From Vilastic Scientific: "Variations in blood viscoelasticity are seen in such conditions as cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, stroke and other conditions." (Note: rather technical site - probably more than you want to know)

The double whammy of 'thick blood' and high iron levels leads to trouble! Experts say your ferritin (iron) level should be around 100 ug/ml or lower. Your blood viscosity and elasticity is a rather complicated test, best understood by a qualified cardiologist. At this point I'm not sure how you determine who is qualified - I would start with one that is F.A.C.C. trained.

So what if you have high iron and high viscosity. Best remedy is to give blood - it will lower both of them! And if you don't take a lot of meds, haven't been to certain countries, it should be free.
If you can't qualify as a donor, most blood banks (Red Cross, etc.) will take a pint and throw it away, but it will cost you..... "It makes sense for everyone over age fifty (or men over 30) to give blood one to four times per year." This doesn't apply to those who are anemic or iron deficient.