What is the downside of blood thinners?

Aside from bleeding-related issues, there are several side effects that have been linked to blood thinners, such as nausea and low counts of cells in your blood. Low blood cell count can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath.

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Who should avoid blood thinners?

This can lead to serious problems if you have certain conditions that raise your risk of bleeding. Your doctor likely won't recommend blood thinners if you have: Stomach ulcers or other issues that up your risk for internal bleeding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure.

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How serious is taking blood thinners?

Although infrequent, bleeding caused by blood thinners can be very serious or life-threatening, like bleeding into the brain or stomach. Serious or life-threatening bleeding requires immediate medical attention.

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How long can a person stay on blood thinners?

Blood thinner treatment for PE is usually advised for at least 3-6 months. Your healthcare provider may advise a longer course depending on why you had the blood clot. Some people at high risk of blood clots may stay on blood thinner indefinitely.

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Can you live a long healthy life on blood thinners?

While there are some risks with taking certain blood thinning medications, it's possible to live a healthy and active life. You can reduce the risks of both bleeding and clotting by doing the following: Follow your treatment plan. Take your medication as prescribed—no skipping or taking more.

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Side-effects to taking blood thinners

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Should I be worried about taking blood thinners?

Aside from bleeding-related issues, there are several side effects that have been linked to blood thinners, such as nausea and low counts of cells in your blood. Low blood cell count can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath.

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Will blood thinners make you gain weight?

No, it's not known to. Weight gain wasn't reported in clinical trials of Eliquis. However, it's possible you may gain weight due to the reason you're taking Eliquis. For example, being less mobile raises your risk of deep vein thrombosis, which Eliquis is used to treat and prevent.

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Are blood thinners bad for your heart?

Blood thinners reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, and blockages in your arteries and veins by preventing clumps of blood (blood clots) from forming or growing.

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Can you drink alcohol on blood thinners?

Alcohol may interfere with the action of certain medications, including blood thinners. Doctors recommend that people taking warfarin or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid limit their intake of alcohol. Occasional, moderate alcohol use should be safe for most people who are taking blood thinners.

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Do I really need blood thinners?

You may need a blood thinner if you have: Certain heart or blood vessel diseases. An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. A heart valve replacement.

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What are the chances of having a stroke while on blood thinners?

El-Chami, MD, a heart specialist at Emory Healthcare. While the likelihood of a major bleed from taking an anticoagulant is 2%-3% on average, the risk of stroke is higher. On average, the chance of having a stroke is 5% each year among people with AFib.

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How can I thin my blood naturally?

Some foods and other substances that may act as natural blood thinners and help reduce the risk of clots include the following:
  1. Turmeric. Share on Pinterest Rowan Jordan/Getty Images. ...
  2. Ginger. ...
  3. Cayenne peppers. ...
  4. Vitamin E. ...
  5. Garlic. ...
  6. Cassia cinnamon. ...
  7. Ginkgo biloba. ...
  8. Grape seed extract.

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Do the benefits of blood thinners outweigh the risks?

So when taking a blood thinner, you might notice increased bleeding from cuts or scrapes, more frequent or more intense nosebleeds, or heavier-than-normal periods. But this is no cause for alarm, says Dr. Granger. For most people who have to take blood thinners, the benefit will outweigh the risks.

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What is the most common blood thinner prescribed?

The most commonly prescribed anticoagulant is warfarin. Newer types of anticoagulants are also available and are becoming increasingly common. These include: rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

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Why do people take blood thinners for life?

If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), your doctor may suggest long-term blood thinners, also called anticoagulants. They lower your risk for stroke caused by a blood clot, the most dangerous complication of AFib. Your doctor will use a formula to find out how high your risk of stroke is.

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Do blood thinners damage organs?

And while blood thinners can drastically decrease their stroke risk, new research shows the drugs could damage their kidneys.

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Can I take aspirin instead of blood thinners?

Patients hospitalized with fractures typically receive an injectable blood thinner, low-molecular-weight heparin, to prevent life-threatening blood clots. A new clinical trial, however, found that inexpensive over-the-counter aspirin is just as effective.

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What are the pros and cons of blood thinners?

These drugs help protect against heart attacks and strokes. But they also come with risks: For example, they'll cause you to bleed more than usual if you cut yourself.

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Do blood thinners affect urination?

Certain medications including aspirin, heparin or warfarin (a blood thinner) and anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide have been known to cause blood in urine. Sometimes, it's just tiny traces that can only be seen under a microscope. This is called microscopic hematuria.

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Do blood thinners weaken your immune system?

While clot formation is reduced, the new study shows it may also cause an unintended consequence. "Our findings show that blocking thrombin reduces the innate immune response to viral infection," says study senior author Nigel Mackman, PhD, the John C.

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What happens if you don't take your blood thinners on time?

If the person is taking thinners for a weak indication, like a less serious problem, missing a few doses will not matter too much. But if the indication is stronger, which means if the person is suffering from serious health problems like stroke or heart attack, I strongly advise that they don t miss their medication.

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What is life like on blood thinners?

Like most medicines, blood thinner pills can have side effects. Some of these may include bruising easily or having your gums bleed from brushing your teeth. If you find any unusual bleeding, let your clinician know right away. You should try to be careful in your daily activities and avoid injury as much as possible.

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Can you take paracetamol with blood thinners?

It's safe to take paracetamol while you're on warfarin. But take the lowest dose that controls your pain. Taking more than four, 500mg tablets over 24 hours for longer than a few days may make your blood clot more slowly. This puts you at risk of bleeding.

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Can you exercise on blood thinners?

Don't be afraid to move! Continue taking blood-thinning medications for as long as they're prescribed. Choose safe exercises or take precautions to reduce the risk of bleeding. Use compression garments for arm or leg clots.

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