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Summary
We have evaluated blood viscosity parameters in 20 men suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) and in 15 control subjects. Whole blood Vscosity at a standardized haematocrit of 45 % was significantly increased in the CHD-patients, both at low (p < 0.001) and high (p < 0.05) shear rate. The increased whole blood viscosity in these patients was explained by an increased Plasma viscosity (p < 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 < 0–05), although not normalized. There was no effect of the fish oil on erythrocyte deformability.