Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

46 The Cardiovascular System
See also COENZYME Q10; HEART ATTACK; LIFESTYLE
AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH; VITAMINS AND HEALTH.
cyanosis A bluish coloration to the lips, nail
beds, and SKIN that indicates inadequate oxygenation.
Clinically, cyanosis exists when the oxygen
saturation of arterial BLOOD drops below 85 percent.
Cyanosis may result from conditions that
affect the ability of the LUNGS to oxygenate the
blood, such as may occur with CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE
PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), or that affect cardiac
function, such as HEART FAILURE or MYOCARDIAL
INFARCTION (HEART ATTACK). Cyanosis may also
result from severe ANEMIA and other blood disorders
that affect the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.
Poisoning with mercury or silver can cause
the skin to take on a bluish hue, as can certain
antipsychotic medications. Doctors call this
pseudocyanosis because it is not the result of the
blood’s oxygen levels.
See also CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE; HEAVY METAL
POISONING; HYPOXIA; RAYNAUD’S SYNDROME.