Low high density lipoprotein levels are associated with an elevated blood viscosity

Low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) have been inversely correlated with blood viscosity and plasma viscosity; however, the contribution of concomitant hypertriglyceridemia may confound this association. This study evaluated the relationship between blood viscosity and HDL cholesterol in 70 subjects with fasting levels of total cholesterol < 5.2 mmol/l (200 mg/dl) and triglycerides < 2.3 mmol/l (200 mg/dl). Viscosity (mPa.s) was measured at 37 degrees C with a coaxial cylinder microviscometer. HDL cholesterol was inversely associated with corrected blood viscosity at 100 s(-1) (beta = - 0.49, P < 0.00005) and 20 s(-1) (beta = - 0.38, P = 0.001) but not at 1 s(-1) (beta = - 0.05, P = 0.69) using stepwise multivariate analyses. Low HDL levels are associated with an elevated blood viscosity, and this rheological abnormality may contribute to cardiovascular risk in subjects with isolated low HDL levels. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.