Specific blood vessels near the heart rely on receptors to keep blood pressure at a healthy level. When alcohol is in the blood, these receptors do not function as they should. The effects of alcohol consumption on the blood are either short-term or long-term. Short-term effects happen to occur during or directly after consuming alcohol, and long-term effects are driven by excessive use over an extended period of time. Yet there are other, less risky ways to protect your arteries — for example, by eating a plant-based diet and exercising.

• But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Review our editorial policy to learn more about our process for producing accurate, current and balanced content.
• Research has found that alcohol affects the process of blood coagulation.
• If you drink heavily, there can be a rebound effect in that the bleeding risk increases, even after you’ve stopped drinking.

Some foods and supplements are believed to have some blood thinning properties. However, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the concentration of active compounds in supplements is not consistent. You can also naturally thicken your blood by eating certain foods. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Looking to help someone with their alcohol addiction, we have provided some more information for those seeking guidance. Have you just picked up your Eliquis medication from the drug store?

Can Alcohol Thin Your Blood?

Eliquis has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early. In fact, Eliquis has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots if you stop Eliquis too early. For more information on this boxed warning, see the “Side effects explained” section below. No, you shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Eliquis suddenly. No, you shouldn’t use alcohol as a substitute for blood thinners.

Do not stop taking Eliquis without first talking with your doctor. If you do need to stop treatment with Eliquis, your doctor may recommend that you take a different blood thinner. Eliquis works https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to prevent blood clots from occurring or to treat a blood clot that you already have. But if you stop taking Eliquis before it’s recommended, you may have an increased risk of blood clots.

Your medication, $49 per month

Blood thinners do not actually reduce the size of existing clots, but they can enhance the body’s natural process for eliminating unhealthy blood clots. Blood thinners alcohol and blood thinners are medications that treat and prevent blood clots. Blood clots are semi-solid clumps of red blood cells, platelets, fibrin (a type of protein), and other proteins.