Document Detail


Reducing blood viscosity with magnetic fields.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21867211     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Blood viscosity is a major factor in heart disease. When blood viscosity increases, it damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks. Currently, the only method of treatment is to take drugs such as aspirin, which has, however, several unwanted side effects. Here we report our finding that blood viscosity can be reduced with magnetic fields of 1 T or above in the blood flow direction. One magnetic field pulse of 1.3 T lasting ∼1 min can reduce the blood viscosity by 20%-30%. After the exposure, in the absence of magnetic field, the blood viscosity slowly moves up, but takes a couple of hours to return to the original value. The process is repeatable. Reapplying the magnetic field reduces the blood viscosity again. By selecting the magnetic field strength and duration, we can keep the blood viscosity within the normal range. In addition, such viscosity reduction does not affect the red blood cells' normal function. This technology has much potential for physical therapy.
Authors:
R Tao; K Huang
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2011-07-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics     Volume:  84     ISSN:  1550-2376     ISO Abbreviation:  Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys     Publication Date:  2011 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-08-26     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101136452     Medline TA:  Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  011905     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA.
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