What can prolonged high blood viscosity lead to?

Prolonged high blood viscosity can indeed lead to increased strain on the heart. When blood becomes more viscous, it becomes thicker and more resistant to flow. This thickening can hinder the ability of blood to circulate efficiently through the blood vessels. As a result, the heart must work harder to pump this thicker blood, leading to an increase in the workload on the heart muscles.

Increased strain on the heart can have several adverse effects, including the risk of heart failure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular complications due to the demands placed on the heart over time. Therefore, understanding the relationship between blood viscosity and cardiovascular health is crucial for managing conditions that can lead to increased blood thickness, such as dehydration, high cholesterol, or certain blood disorders.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of prolonged high blood viscosity; they either imply positive outcomes (such as improved circulation or decreased cholesterol) or relate to unrelated physiological processes (like reduced blood clotting).