How to Thin the Blood

If you have had a blood clot, have had a stroke, an irregular heartbeat, or had a heart attack, you may need to take blood thinners prescribed by your doctor. Blood thinning can help prevent these diseases from coming back. Besides medication, lifestyle changes combined with the help of your doctor can help you thin your blood and live a healthier life.

Table of Contents

Using prescription drugs

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/55/Thin-Blood-Step-1-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-1- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/55/Thin-Blood-Step-1-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-1-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Take medicine containing coumarin. If you have medical conditions that require blood-thinning medications, your doctor may prescribe anticoagulants — drugs that target clotting factors. Your doctor may prescribe a coumarin-containing medicine such as Coumadin or Warfarin. These drugs help reduce the formation of vitamin K-dependent clotting factor in the blood. It is usually taken once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food.

Common side effects include bloating, abdominal pain, and sometimes hair loss. ^{[1] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/22/Thin-Blood-Step-2-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-2- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/22/Thin-Blood-Step-2-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-2-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Know the side effects of Warfarin. If you are taking Warfarin, you need to be carefully monitored because Warfarin can cause internal bleeding. You will need weekly blood tests and your dose will be adjusted based on the test results.

Warfarin can interact with many other medications, so talk to your doctor about the medications, supplements, and vitamins you’re taking. In addition, it is necessary to maintain a moderate diet when taking Warfarin because elevated vitamin K levels can interfere with the drug and cause blood clots.
When taking Warfarin, you need to avoid consuming foods rich in vitamin K such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, spinach, green beans, liver and some cheeses. You should talk to your health care professional about your diet when taking Warfarin. ^{[2] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/53/Thin-Blood-Step-3-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-3- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/53/Thin-Blood-Step-3-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-3-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Try other blood thinners. Your doctor may prescribe other anticoagulants for you. The advantage of these drugs is that you don’t need to be monitored weekly, and vitamin K supplementation does not affect the effectiveness of the drug. However, some experts do not like to prescribe these drugs because they are difficult to monitor and if bleeding occurs, it will be difficult for doctors to reverse vitamin K (unlike Warfarin).

Your doctor may prescribe Pradaxa, which is usually taken by mouth, with or without food, twice daily. Common side effects of Pradaxa include gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea. Other serious side effects include bleeding and allergic reactions. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Your doctor may prescribe Xarelto. Based on your specific condition, your doctor may instruct you to take Xarelto 1-2 times a day with food. Side effects of Xarelto include an allergic reaction to the drug, bleeding or vomiting blood, dizziness, burning, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, confusion, and headache. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Your doctor may prescribe Eliquis to be taken twice daily, with or without food. Care should be taken when taking the drug if signs of an allergic reaction, bleeding, dizziness, confusion, headache, muscle pain or swelling, chest pain and wheezing are observed. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use other methods

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/be/Thin-Blood-Step-4-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-4- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/be/Thin-Blood-Step-4-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-4-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Take Baby Aspirin (Baby Aspirin). If you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, or have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend aspirin at a dose of 81 mg per day. Aspirin helps thin the blood by preventing blood cells from sticking together, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots forming. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Be aware, however, that Aspirin can pose a risk of bleeding such as hemorrhagic stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or are allergic to Aspirin. If you are taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) regularly, such as Ibuprofen, your risk of bleeding with aspirin is higher. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor before taking aspirin.
Aspirin can interact with other drugs such as Heparin, Ibuprofen, Plavix, Corticosteroids and antidepressants, as well as herbal supplements such as ginkgo, Kava root (of the Pepper family) and cat’s claw. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Tell your doctor about all vitamins, supplements, and medications you are taking.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Thin-Blood-Step-5-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-5- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Thin-Blood-Step-5-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-5-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Increase exercise. Exercise is essential to reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although it is not possible to reverse existing damage, exercise combined with medication will help prevent complications. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Experts recommend 150 minutes of exercise per week, often divided into 30 minutes per day of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise such as brisk walking. ^{[9] X Trusted Source American Heart Association Go to Source}

Avoid participating in exercise that could cause serious injury, complications, or internal bleeding. Ask your doctor what exercise is best for your condition and the type of medication you’re taking.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/53/Thin-Blood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-6- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/53/Thin-Blood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-6-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Change your diet. Changing your diet can help prevent heart problems. In addition, the diet improves the effectiveness of medications to thin your blood and make you healthier.

Control portion sizes by using small plates and keeping track of the amount of food at each meal.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as they are rich in vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.
Eat whole grains instead of white flour.
Increase sources of good fats like nuts, and fatty fish like tuna or salmon.
Increase lean protein sources in your diet such as egg whites, low-fat dairy products, and skinless chicken.
Eat foods low in saturated fat. The calories from saturated fat should make up less than 7% of the total calories in the food you eat. In addition, trans fat should be avoided, which should be less than 1% of the total calories in food.
Avoid greasy foods, salty and fatty foods, fast foods, frozen, prepackaged foods. Frozen foods advertised as healthy can also contain a lot of salt. In addition, you should limit your intake of cold cakes, waffles and muffins. ^{[10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/48/Thin-Blood-Step-7-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-7- Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/48/Thin-Blood-Step-7-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-7-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Drink a lot of water. Water is a natural blood thinner. Dehydration makes the blood thicker, causing clots to form. Drinking plenty of water each day helps to thin the blood and improve overall health.

Doctors recommend drinking about 1.8 liters of water per day. Or you should drink the amount of water based on the formula, for every 0.5 kg of weight you need to drink 15 ml of water. For example, if you weigh 70 kg, you need to drink 210 ml of water per day. ^{[11] X Research Source}
Do not drink too much water. You should only drink enough water and do not force yourself to drink too much if you feel too full.

Seek medical help

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/7f/Thin-Blood-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-8- Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7f/Thin-Blood-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Talk to your doctor. Illnesses such as blood clots, pulmonary embolism, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, and strokes can be very serious and life-threatening. The disease can recur if not treated properly. If you have these diseases, you must have regular health check-ups and need the care of a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help thin your blood and set you up on a special diet.

Although certain foods can help thin or thicken your blood, you should never try to thin your blood with foods or diets.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4c/Thin-Blood-Step-9-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-9- Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4c/Thin-Blood-Step-9-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-9-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Do not self-medicate. If you are at high risk or have had heart problems or a stroke, do not attempt to thin your blood on your own. Diet and home remedies alone cannot help prevent blood clots or heart attacks. Diet and exercise only help prevent heart disease. If you have heart disease or a condition that requires blood thinning, exercise and dietary changes alone will not be enough to prevent the disease.

Always follow your doctor’s advice for medication and dietary changes.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1e/Thin-Blood-Step-10-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin-Blood-Step-10- Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1e/Thin-Blood-Step-10-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Thin- Blood-Step-10-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Recognize signs of bleeding. See your doctor right away if you’re taking anticoagulants and notice signs or symptoms of significant bleeding. It could be a sign of internal, hemorrhagic, or occult bleeding.

Seek immediate medical help if bleeding is unusual. Examples include frequent nosebleeds, unusual bleeding in the gums (gums), menstrual or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than usual.
Get emergency care right away if you have a serious and uncontrolled injury or bleeding.
Seek medical help right away if there are signs of internal bleeding such as red, pink or brown urine; bright red, tarry red or black streaked stools; coughing up blood or blood clots; vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee powder; headache; feel dizzy, faint, or sick. ^{[12] X Research Sources}^{[13] X Research Sources}

Warning

Always follow your doctor’s instructions for prescription medications, dietary changes, and medical treatments.
Do not use herbal supplements without the consent of your doctor. Currently, there are no herbal supplements that can effectively help thin the blood. Also, let your doctor know if you are taking any supplements to help treat other conditions. Supplements can interfere with blood thinners and cause serious problems.

Steps

Using prescription drugs

Use other methods

Seek medical help

Warning

Related Posts