Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Using Prescription Drugs
• Method 2 of 3: Using other methods
• Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care
• Warnings

Realizing the likelihood of impending thrombosis, and in the wake of a stroke or heart attack, many people are forced to take blood thinners on a daily basis. It is imperative to do this in order to prevent the occurrence of these diseases. If you are familiar with these problems, then you need to take steps to make your blood thinner. First of all, you must continue to take the drugs prescribed by the doctor. In addition, you will have to rethink your lifestyle and make the necessary changes. You will also need to see your doctor regularly. All of these will help you stay healthy.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using Prescription Drugs

1. 1 Take coumarin-based anti-clotting medications. If you have a medical condition where your blood is very thick, your doctor will most likely prescribe anticoagulants - drugs that affect blood clotting. This can be a coumarin-based drug such as Coumadin or Warfarin. The action of these drugs is to reduce the formation of vitamin K-dependent factors. These drugs are usually taken orally once a day, at the same time, regardless of food intake.
   • Side effects of these drugs include bloating, abdominal pain, and hair loss.
2. 2 Learn about the side effects of warfarin. If you are being treated with warfarin, be careful as this drug may cause internal bleeding. You must have a weekly blood test so the doctor can adjust the dose based on your results.
   • Learn about how warfarin interacts with other medications. Be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are currently taking. It is also important to adjust your diet while taking this drug because high vitamin K levels can interfere with warfarin treatment and cause blood clots.
   • When you take warfarin, cut out vitamin K-rich foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, spinach, green beans, green tea, liver, and some types of cheeses from your diet. Try not to eat these foods while taking warfarin. Talk to your doctor about diet while taking warfarin.
3. 3 Take other blood thinners. Your doctor may prescribe other oral anticoagulants for you. The advantage of these is that you do not need to have weekly blood tests. In addition, vitamin K intake does not affect their effectiveness. However, some doctors refuse to prescribe these drugs because they cannot objectively assess the patient's condition. In addition, if bleeding occurs, it is not possible to stop it with vitamin K.
   • Your doctor may prescribe Pradaxa®, which is usually taken by mouth, with no food, twice a day. Side effects include stomach pain, nausea, and heartburn. Bleeding is a serious side effect.
   • The doctor may also prescribe Xarelto®. Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend that you take the drug once or twice a day with meals. Side effects include muscle cramps.Also, muscle cramps may occur while taking this drug.
   • Your doctor may also prescribe Eliquis®, which should be taken twice a day, with or without food. However, bleeding may occur with this drug.

Method 2 of 3: Using other methods

1. 1 Take baby aspirin. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, or have certain risk factors, your doctor may prescribe you a daily aspirin. Aspirin thins the blood, prevents clotting cells from sticking together in blood vessels. Note that aspirin use increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke.
   • If you have had a stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, or are allergic to aspirin, tell your doctor. If you are taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, it may increase your risk of bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor before he prescribes aspirin for you.
   • Aspirin can interact with other medications such as heparin, ibuprofen, plavix, corticosteroids, antidepressants, and herbal supplements such as ginkgo, kava, and cat's claw.
   • Be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are currently taking.
2. 2 Get exercise. Exercise can help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Although sometimes you can't recover completely from a heart attack or stroke, you can prevent further complications by exercising. Doctors recommend that you set aside 150 minutes per week for exercise, which should be broken down into 30-minute intervals per day. Include moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, in your weekly schedule.
   • Try to avoid exercise that can cause serious injury, complications, or internal bleeding. Ask your doctor to recommend exercise for you based on your medical history.
3. 3 Make adjustments to your diet. Diet helps prevent further heart problems. Plus, by adjusting your diet, you may be able to go without medication while still feeling good. Keep track of your portion size. Eat small meals and watch what you eat with each meal. One serving of meat should be 50-80 g. Eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. Try to eat whole grain breads rather than white flour. Include healthy fats like nuts and oily fish like tuna or salmon. Low-fat dairy and lean meats are great options for a healthy diet.
   • You should also include foods that are low in saturated fat in your diet. You should be getting less than 7% of your total calories from saturated fat per day. You should also avoid trans fats, which should make up less than 1% of your total calories per day.
   • Avoid oily and salty foods. Also, eliminate fast food, frozen and prepackaged foods from your diet. Even frozen foods that are considered healthy are high in salt. Also skip pies, waffles, and muffins.
4. 4 Drink plenty of water. Recent studies have shown that water is the best blood thinner. Dehydration makes the blood thicker. Drink more water to make your blood thinner and make you feel better.
   • Some doctors advise drinking about two liters of fluid a day. Other doctors advise to follow the following formula. You can calculate how much water to drink per day using a simple formula: your weight in kg / 450x14. Let's calculate how much water a person weighing 50 kg needs to drink: 50 / 450x14 = 1.5. Thus, 1.5 liters is the norm for people weighing 50 kg.
   • Do not overdo it. Drink enough water, but not too much. Remember, everything is good in moderation.

Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care

1. 1 Consult your doctor. Blood clots, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, atrial fibrillation and stroke are life-threatening conditions. If these diseases are not properly treated, serious consequences can be reaped. These diseases require regular medical check-ups. The doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment and appropriate diet to help thin the blood.
   • While certain foods can thin the blood, don't self-medicate and rely on diet alone.
2. 2 Do not self-medicate. If you've had heart problems or a stroke before, don't try to thin the blood yourself. Diet and other home remedies alone will not prevent heart attack. Diet and exercise can help prevent early heart disease. If you have heart disease, changes to your diet or exercise schedule won't be enough to prevent a stroke or heart attack.
   • Follow your doctor's recommendations for diet and treatment.
3. 3 Watch for signs of bleeding. If you are currently taking anticoagulants, contact your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice signs of bleeding. It can also be symptoms of internal bleeding, hemorrhage, or other hidden bleeding.
   • Get immediate medical attention if you have sudden bleeding that persists for an extended period of time. These include nosebleeds that occur repeatedly, unusual bleeding from the gums, and menstrual or vaginal bleeding.
   • If you are injured or bleeding heavily, call an ambulance.
   • You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of internal bleeding such as red, pink, brown urine; black, bright red, or red-veined stools; coughing up blood; vomiting blood; headaches; dizziness, fainting, or weakness.

Warnings

• Always follow your doctor's recommendations for medications and dietary supplements.
• Do not take herbal supplements without talking to your doctor. There are currently no herbal supplements that can effectively thin the blood. If you are taking any supplements, be sure to tell your doctor. Supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of blood thinners.