When structural changes take place, it affects how well the blood pumps blood throughout the rest of the body. This article explores how alcohol affects the ability of the blood to clot. Finally, it answers some common questions about alcohol and blood thinning. But in people who drink heavily, there can be a rebound effect in which the bleeding risk increases, even after they’ve stopped drinking.
Long-Term Health Risks of Alcohol Use
These amounts may vary, depending on a person’s alcohol tolerance. For moderate drinkers, the blood-thinning effects of alcohol are short-lived. Alcohol leaves the bloodstream at an average rate of about 0.015 g per hour. However, a blood clot can sometimes develop in, or travel to, an artery that delivers oxygen-rich blood to your heart or brain.
Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of a heart attack, but there are a few risks as well. First, it can cause an increase in the production of red blood cells and platelets, which can make your blood thicker. Second, it can cause a decrease in the production of white blood cells, which can make your blood thinner. In general, alcohol consumption has been linked to an increase in blood viscosity, which can lead to a variety of health concerns. Since blood thinners are designed to thin the blood and alcohol has that same effect, drinking alcohol while on blood thinners should be avoided to prevent excessive thinning. That said, some studies have found that low to moderate consumption of alcohol is generally safe for people on blood thinners.
Don’t Risk The Effects Of Alcohol Abuse
Drinking to excess can lead to injuries, alcohol poisoning, violence, stillbirth/miscarriage, and risky sexual acts (sex with multiple partners, unprotected sex, etc.). Unprotected sex can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, or an unintended pregnancy. However, blood that is too thin won’t clot when it’s supposed to. Autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematous or rheumatoid arthritis can cause this. The second class is an anti-platelet medication, which keeps platelets from sticking together to create a clot.
When platelets are reduced, it can take longer for the blood to clot when you cut yourself or experience an injury. It reduces platelet counts and the stickiness of your blood, preventing clot formation. Some research even indicates that a drink a day may lower the risk of a stroke for some patients, but the opposite is also true for those who drink too much. Your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These special cells are stickier than the others in your bloodstream and they also release clotting factors that help to create a plug to close a bleeding injury.
- However, blood that is too thin won’t clot when it’s supposed to.
- If a blood clot doesn’t break off and move somewhere more dangerous, it can still lead to limb swelling, pain and muscle death, as it blocks blood flow to affected areas.
- This covers the wound and prevents further blood from leaking out.
- Ordering up a mocktail to enjoy the flavor is a great way to be social without the health risks.
These side effects can include organ damage, high blood pressure, weakening of the heart muscle, and an increased heart rate. They stop excessive bleeding should you be hurt; they work together with your white blood cells and your red blood cells. All three components are carried through your body by liquid plasma (a clear fluid).
Risks Of Drinking Alcohol For Blood Thinning Effects
This covers the wound and prevents further blood from leaking out. But, if the blood is too thin, the body may not be able to coagulate blood after an injury. Do not take alcohol while on other blood thinners unless you talk to your doctor. It first reduces the number of platelets in the blood by getting in the way of blood cell production. It then makes the platelets less sticky so it’s harder for them to stick together and form clots. Abstain from alcohol while you are taking an anticoagulant or blood thinner.
This article discusses the effects that alcohol has on the blood in both the short and long term. Experts define binge drinking as consuming in excess of four drinks for females or five drinks for males within around 2 hours. Keep reading to learn more about this blood-thinning effect, how alcohol interacts with blood-thinning medications, and more. Additionally, it’s common to experience significant lifestyle problems like financial trouble, social disharmony, family conflict, and career challenges. Because research suggests that alcohol may thin the blood, people need to avoid consuming any before undergoing surgery.
- Antioxidants, called polyphenols, may help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart.
- “Coagulation” is a term used to describe the process of blood cells known as platelets sticking together.
- The effects of alcohol consumption on the blood are either short-term or long-term.
- This reduces the concentration of red blood cells and platelets, making the blood less viscous and more likely to clot.
- They may refer to them as blood thinners, anticoagulants, or antiplatelet drugs.
But, if taken in combination with other blood thinners, alcohol can intensify the effects of the blood thinner, which can leave you vulnerable to injury. Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic, is another possible illness directly related to drinking too much alcohol for too long. Simply getting pancreatitis increases your risk of developing diabetes, making it the last two-for-one special on your list. Moderate your drinking and stop immediately if you have any disease affecting your pancreas. You can also add the habit of regular exercise into your routine, thereby reducing your risk of experiencing a heart attack or even a stroke. Start with thirty minutes a day and build up your stamina to your personal optimal level.
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People can speak to their doctor if they think they or someone they know may have AUD. Additionally, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) offers guidance on finding treatment and support for AUD. Alcohol Use Disorder requires a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment plan. Many qualified treatment facilities can help you get the treatment you need. An enlarged spleen or hypersplenism can lead to thin blood, and can cause platelets to get caught inside the spleen. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Heavy alcohol consumption can also lead to accidents, mental health issues like depression, risky sexual behaviors, and liver disease. If alcohol is abused, it can increase the risk of heart attacks and cause damage to other organs. Blood cells, called platelets, move to the injured area of the body when you’re cut or bruised. These cells are sticky and cluster together and work to stop bleeding. Platelets also deliver proteins called clotting factors that create a plug to close a wound.
Always ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to consume alcohol while taking blood thinners. If you must drink alcohol while taking blood thinners, do so in moderation. However, this exact mechanism may increase your risk of bleeding from strokes. It’s especially true when you drink alcohol in large quantities. That said, moderate use of alcohol may have the opposite effect.
Once the effects of the alcohol wear off, the body’s clotting mechanisms will return to normal. However, if a person continues to drink large amounts of alcohol does alcohol thin or thicken your blood over an extended period of time, the body’s clotting mechanisms may become permanently impaired. Alcohol can thin the blood by reducing the amount of platelets present in the blood.
Platelets move through your bloodstream, throughout your entire body. About 70% travel freely while the remaining 30% stay in your spleen, where they are stored. After new platelets are made in your bone marrow, they live in your body for about 7-10 days. In people who drink moderately, the effect of alcohol on platelets is short-lived. It is also important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms of thinning blood. Your doctor will be able to investigate the cause of your symptoms and provide the appropriate treatment.
