High haemoglobin levels can raise risk of heart attacks, strokes: Experts

High haemoglobin levels can raise your risk of heart attack stroke and blood clots according to health expertsKnown as polycythemia a condition where red cells increase in the human body due to abnormalities in the bone marrow These excess cells thicken the blood slowing its flow and can cause serious problems like blood clotsOther causes of polycythemia include smoking diseases of the heart or lungs and living at high altitude for prolonged time periodsHaemoglobin levels of more than 165gdL in males and 16gdL in females is considered abnormal High haemoglobin levels may be detected on routine blood tests and may not cause any symptomsldquoHigh haemoglobin levels should not be ignored as it can increase the risk of blood clotting and can sometimes lead to dangerous conditions like stroke heart attack and blood clots in legs and abdomenrdquo said Dr Rahul Bhargava Principal Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Fortis Memorial Research Institute GurugramldquoIf high haemoglobin levels are detected on routine evaluation a haematologist should be consulted for further evaluation Secondary causes of polycythemia including obstructive sleep apnoea diseases of heart and lungs should be looked forrdquo he addedRoutine blood tests to detect haemoglobin levels include a peripheral smear serum erythropoietin levels and JAK2 mutation study is necessary for routine evaluationA bone marrow examination is also performed to determine the cause of polycythemia in selected casesAccording to Dr Neha Rastogi Panda Senior Infectious Diseases Specialist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram ldquoHigh haemoglobin may also cause a variety of symptoms like frequent headaches blurred vision itching all over the body after a warm shower painful and swollen jointsrdquoldquoIt can also cause major problems like stroke heart attack blood clot in legs etc Smoking should be avoided as it increases the risk of blood clotting Diabetes and high blood pressure should be controlled as they are independent risk factors for stroke and heart attack Adequate oral fluid intake should be maintainedrdquo she addedTreatment of polycythemia includes removing blood from the body a process called phlebotomy blood thinners like aspirin which helps prevent blood clotting and medicines like hydroxyurea which helps stop bone marrow from producing increased cellsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever