CBS.com; CBS All Access; CBS News; CBSN; Watching Live TV. All Access Live TV; TV Provider
The extra red blood cells make your blood thicker than normal. As a result, blood clots can form more easily. These clots can block blood flow through your arteries and veins, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Thicker blood also doesn't flow as quickly to your body as normal blood.
The thickness of your blood can depend on a number of factors. Your red blood cell count has the most influence on the viscosity of your blood. Blood fats, such as LDL (âbadâ) cholesterol, can affect this viscosity â the more LDL you have passing through your bloodstream, the thicker your blood will be. Other factors such as chronic inflammation, smoking, diabetes, eating habits and even your genetic makeup can all contribute to the varying thinness or thickness of your blood.