Various epidemological studies have investigated the possible associations between blood
rheology (ie haematological characteristics that could influence blood flow) and coronary
heart disease rates [ 1, 2]. Some involved whole blood viscosity (ie bulk blood's intrinsic
resistance to flow), but most involved its major determinants: haematocrit, plasma viscosity,
and red cell aggregation (as indicated by the erythrocyte sedimentation rate)(Table 1). There
is an elevated risk of occlusive vascular disease in patients with poorly controlled …