If you've had a thrombosis, stroke, arrhythmia, or heart attack, you will likely need to take blood thinners prescribed by your doctor. Keeping your blood constantly fluid allows you to avoid recurrence of your condition. With the help of medicine, lifestyle changes, and your doctor's help, you can keep your blood flowing and stay healthy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prescription Drugs
Step 1. Tell your doctor if you are taking vitamins, supplements, or other medications
Seemingly harmless over-the-counter medications and supplements can negatively interact with blood thinners such as Warfarin or Coumadin and other medications.
Step 2. Take a coumarin medication
If you have suffered from any medical condition or disease that requires blood thinning, your doctor will likely prescribe anticoagulants, which are specific to this type of disorder. He may recommend medicines such as Coumadin or Warfarin, which are coumarin anticoagulants; their function is to reduce the production of vitamin K, responsible for blood clotting. Generally the medicine is taken orally once a day, always at the same time, during or between meals.
The main side effects typically involve gas, abdominal pain, and even hair loss
Step 3. Recognize the side effects of warfarin
If you are following a therapy based on this active ingredient, you must be kept under constant observation, because it is known that it can cause internal bleeding. You will have to undergo blood tests (the frequency of which is decided by the doctor), on the basis of which an adjustment in the dosage can be defined.
- Warfarin also interacts with many other medications, so it is important to seek medical attention if you are taking any supplements, vitamins or other medicines. It is also important to respect a regular and constant diet during therapy, because a high consumption of foods rich in vitamin K could compromise the effectiveness of Warfarin and cause blood clots.
- While on this medication, avoid foods that are rich in vitamin K, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kale, spinach, green beans, green tea, liver, and some cheeses. Above all, avoid eating these foods irregularly, because the most important thing is to maintain consistency. Review your diet with your doctor while you are on blood thinning therapy.
Step 4. Try other thinners
Your doctor may prescribe you several types of oral anticoagulants, which have been gaining popularity in recent times. The advantage of these new treatments is that you don't have to have blood tests every week, and taking vitamin K doesn't affect their effectiveness. However, some doctors are reluctant to prescribe this type of medicine due to the fact that blood thinning is difficult to control and, in case of bleeding, unlike warfarin, vitamin K cannot handle it..
- One of these new drugs is Pradaxa, which is usually taken orally, with or without meals, twice a day. Side effects include pain and heartburn and nausea.
- Your doctor may also prescribe Xarelto for you. Depending on your specific situation, it may tell you to take it once or twice a day, orally with meals. Side effects include muscle spasms, but severe bleeding could also occur.
- Another similar drug is Eliquis, which is generally taken orally twice a day, with or without meals. Among its serious side effects is the possibility of bleeding.
- Another option is Plavix (clopidogrel), an antiplatelet. It makes the blood less thick by hindering platelet aggregation, i.e. preventing platelets from binding to each other, which can cause clots and blood clots. Some common side effects of Plavix are headache and muscle and joint pain; others, rarer, include an increased risk of bleeding, haemorrhage, epistaxis, etc.
Method 2 of 3: Other Remedies
Step 1. Take baby aspirin
If you have had a heart attack or stroke or are in a risk category for this condition, your doctor may recommend that you take one 81 mg tablet of aspirin each day. Aspirin thins the blood by preventing platelet aggregation, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots. However, keep in mind that this medicine further increases the chances of bleeding, such as a hemorrhagic stroke or gastrointestinal bleeding.
- If you have suffered from stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding or are allergic to aspirin, please inform your doctor. If you are taking NSAIDs on a scheduled and regular basis, such as ibuprofen, be aware that you may increase the risk of bleeding. In this case, talk to your doctor before starting an aspirin treatment.
- This drug can interact with other medicines, such as heparin, ibuprofen, Plavix, corticosteroids and antidepressants, as well as some herbal supplements such as gingko biloba, kava and cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa).
Step 2. Increase physical activity in your daily routine
Regular exercise is very important to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. While you can't undo damage once it has occurred, you can prevent any future complications if you accompany your medication with adequate training. Ideally, you should do at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, which you can divide into daily 30-minute sessions of moderate aerobic exercise such as brisk walking.
Avoid doing exercises that can cause serious injury, complications, or internal bleeding. Ask your doctor about which activities are best for your specific situation, also based on the medications you are taking
Step 3. Make dietary changes
Nutrition is also an important factor that can help you prevent further heart problems. Also, when combined with medications, it can thin your blood and keep you healthy.
- Pay attention to the portions you eat at each meal. You can monitor the amount of food by taking smaller plates. One serving of meat weighs around 60-90g, which is roughly equivalent to the size of a deck of cards.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.
- Choose whole grains instead of refined ones.
- Include "good fats," such as nuts and fatty fish such as tuna or salmon, in your diet.
- Include lean proteins like egg whites, skim dairy products, and white skinless chicken.
- You should also consume foods that are low in saturated fat. The calories provided by the foods you eat should be less than 7% saturated fat. You also need to avoid trans fats, which shouldn't exceed 1% of the total calories that come from your diet.
- Avoid greasy, fatty or salty foods, fast food meals and frozen and industrially prepared ones. Frozen meals are marketed as healthy foods, but remember that they contain a lot of salt. Also avoid frozen cakes, waffles and muffins.
Step 4. Drink more water
Studies have found water to be one of the best blood thinners. Dehydration, in fact, can make the blood thicker, causing blockages that can become clots. Drinking plenty of water every day allows you to thin your blood and also make you feel better.
- Some doctors recommend drinking about 2 liters of water every day. Others, on the other hand, recommend applying the mathematical formula which involves the intake of 30 ml of water for every kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 70 kg you should drink 2.1 liters of water a day.
- Be careful, however, not to drink excessively. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of water, but if you feel too full, don't force yourself to drink more.
Method 3 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Contact your doctor
Disorders such as blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation and stroke are all serious conditions that can even lead to death. If they are not treated properly, you could also risk relapse. These are disorders that require regular medical checks and professional care. Under the supervision of your doctor, you may need to take medications that help the blood to become less thick; your doctor may also advise you to follow an appropriate diet to keep the blood properly fluid.
While some foods can help thicken or thin your blood, depending on your needs, don't think about relying solely on nutrition to regulate your blood
Step 2. Rule out the idea of doing "do-it-yourself" treatments
If you are at high risk for heart disease or have already had heart problems or strokes, you shouldn't try to heal yourself. Diet or other home remedies alone cannot prevent possible blood clots or heart attacks. Exercise and nutrition can only help you prevent possible heart disease. However, if you have already suffered from heart disease or have had the need to thin your blood at times in the past, diet and training are not sufficient in prevention.
Always follow the instructions your doctor gives you about your diet and medications
Step 3. Look for any signs of bleeding
If you are currently taking blood thinners, call your doctor or an ambulance if you experience symptoms or signs of severe bleeding. This could be internal bleeding or other forms of hidden bleeding.
- Contact emergency services immediately if you experience unusual and unexpected bleeding that lasts for a long time. It could also be nosebleeds that occur quite frequently, unusual bleeding from the gums, and more intense menstrual or vaginal bleeding than normal.
- If you injure yourself or experience severe, unmanageable bleeding, call an ambulance or seek emergency services right away.
- You must contact a doctor immediately even in the case of symptoms attributable to internal bleeding, such as red, pink or brown urine; bright red stools with coppery or black reflections similar to tar; if there are clots or blood in the sputum; if you vomit blood or the vomit has a grainy appearance similar to coffee grounds; if you experience a headache or feel dizzy, weak or tired.
Warnings
- Always strictly follow the directions your doctor gives you regarding the medications he prescribes, diet restrictions or medical interventions.
- Do not take herbal supplements without your doctor's approval. To date, there are no herbal products capable of thinning the blood. If you are taking supplements for other ailments, always inform your doctor, as they may interfere with other blood thinning medications and cause serious problems.
