The Influence of Ecologic Factors on Blood Viscosity and Sedimentation and on Serum Cholesterol

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Abstract
Normal, ambulant, male and female adults of all ages have been studied in Portland, Oregon, Tokyo, Japan, and Messina, Sicily. Blood viscosity and serum cholesterol levels, and local ecologic and other factors were measured. The following conclusions seem warranted. (1) Blood viscosity is directly influenced by the packed red cell volume. The relationship departs from linearity when the hematocrit reading approaches and exceeds 50 per cent in men and 45 per cent in women, after which the viscosity rises progressively faster than the hematocrit. (2) The viscosity index was influenced by age to a varying degree. In general this influence was weakest in men from Tokyo and highest in those from Messina. (3) The viscosity index was closely dependent on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate both in men and women. (4) Viscosity index was directly, although not linearly, related to lipid and probably also protein intake. (5) The serum cholesterol level was related to age particularly in women. This relationship was strong in women from Portland and weak in those from Tokyo. (6) Serum cholesterol was increased by both lipid and protein intake, particularly at low levels of intake in men. (7) Serum cholesterol was also directly related to the packed red cell volume in all subjects and to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in women.