Have you ever come across the phrase sticky blood? Or maybe you heard from your doctor that your blood is thick? If so, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Sticky blood can damage blood vessels and the heart. What are its symptoms? How can this phenomenon be combated? And above all, what are its causes? You will find the answers below.
- Bruising, heavy periods and fatigue are just some of the symptoms of thick blood
- In case of disturbing symptoms, diagnostic tests should be performed
- How to reduce blood viscosity? A cardiologist reveals seven of the best ways
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
What affects blood density?
Red blood cells primarily affect blood viscosity. They account for more than half of its volume. The blood density is also influenced by, inter alia, lipoproteins, including “bad” cholesterol. If the blood level is high, the blood density also increases automatically. Fibrinogen, or soluble protein, is another factor that affects its viscosity.
Symptoms of sticky blood
The symptoms of sticky blood are confusingly similar to those associated with blood clots. How thick blood manifests itself depends on the cause of the condition and the location. Here are the most common symptoms:
- dizziness and headaches,
- vision problems
- frequent bruises,
- high pressure,
- heavy menstruation,
- problems with concentration,
- permanent fatigue and weakness,
- night sweats
- shortness of breath
- itchy skin
- anemia.
If you have the above symptoms, a specialist should first of all ask you to do a morphology. Thanks to this, he will be able to check the level of red blood cells and platelets. You can buy basic laboratory tests for women and men HERE.
What should be of particular concern to women are the numerous miscarriages. If you have lost your pregnancy several times, it could also be a symptom of too thick blood. It’s a good idea to check with your doctor to see if that’s a good lead.
Treatment of sticky blood
Fortunately, sticky blood is not an irreversible condition. You can fight him. Cardiologist Kenneth R. Kensey, author of the book “The Blood Thinner Cure” argues that by reducing blood viscosity, we are able to lower the risk of serious heart diseases and strokes. According to him, it can be done thanks to seven important steps.
- Quit smoking.
- Follow a low-fat diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the healthiest in the world. Our plates should also include products rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which naturally dilute the blood. For example, garlic, turmeric, ginger or caraway have the same effect. We should also drink green tea and eat nuts, tofu and salmon.
- Remember to exercise regularly. Just 20 minutes of easy walking a day will have a positive effect on your body.
- Avoid stress.
- If you need to take acetylsalicylic acid, take it in low doses (especially people after a heart attack or stroke). This medicine makes it harder for pieces of blood called platelets to stick together and form clots.
- Donate blood regularly. Thanks to this, you will get rid of a large part of red blood cells and force your body to produce new ones.
- Drink 10-12 glasses of water a day. This will help you thin the blood.
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