Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia Vera is classified as a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow, resulting in the excessive production of red blood cells. This increase in red blood cell count leads to a higher viscosity of blood, which in turn raises the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Men are generally more susceptible to this condition than women. Common symptoms associated with Polycythemia Vera include dizziness, fatigue, and exhaustion. The diagnosis is confirmed through a blood test, and it is important to note that this condition poses a significant risk to the patient’s health if treatment is delayed.
Lupus Erythematosus
Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissues. This immune response triggers coagulation factors that contribute to blood clotting, thus explaining the increased blood viscosity often observed in affected individuals.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma is a rare type of malignant tumor, with an approximate prevalence rate of 1%. This cancer affects the bone marrow, leading to an abnormal proliferation of plasma cells, a component of white blood cells that are crucial for immune function due to their role in producing specific antibodies known as M-proteins. When multiple myeloma occurs, the body produces excessive amounts of these proteins, adversely affecting blood viscosity and thickening the blood, thereby reducing its flow rate. Affected individuals may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Vision impairment due to retinopathy.
- Frequent headaches.
- Increased bruising.
- Persistent fatigue.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Waldenström’s Disease
Waldenström’s Disease, also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is one of the causes of increased blood viscosity. This occurs due to the high levels of protein produced by malignant B cells during the disease, which leads to an increase in thrombus formation.
Additional Causes
In addition to the aforementioned conditions, other factors may also contribute to increased blood viscosity, including:
- Chronic hypoxia.
- Treatment with retinoic acid.
- Paraneoplastic syndromes.
- Connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Myelodysplastic disorders, characterized by the abnormal production of certain blood cell types.
- Leukemia, a blood cancer resulting in excessive production of white blood cells.
- Essential thrombocytosis, where the disease leads to increased blood viscosity due to heightened platelet production by the bone marrow.
- Pathological causes of increased blood viscosity in infants, which may occur in utero or during birth, including:
- Gestational diabetes.
- Certain genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
- Inherited diseases from parents.
- Fetal transfusion syndrome, where blood distribution between fetuses is unequal, adversely affecting oxygen supply to tissues.
- Factor V Leiden, where a genetic mutation in coagulation factor V leads to increased production, raising the likelihood of deep vein thrombosis.
- Prothrombin 20210A mutation, where a genetic alteration in coagulation factor II results in elevated production, causing increased clotting tendencies.
- Deficiencies in Protein C and S, which can also elevate blood viscosity and may have a genetic predisposition.