The Blood Clotting Process – Risks, Conditions, And Blood Thinning Agents

The blood clotting process is one of the amazing events that occurs both on the inside and outside of our bodies. It can be the different between a lifesaving occurring and life ending event. The blood clotting process can occur after childbirth, after surgery, in cases of frostbite, during pregnancy, or simply when you nick yourself with that new handy dandy knife that claims to never get dull. After cutting yourself you may proclaim duller is better!

For the most part doctors try to prevent the blood clotting process, or at least slow it down, for those at risk of heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. It is also advised that those individuals prone to clotting consider wearing leg support stockings when possible and try to be as active as possible. For example if you were going to be in a sitting position for a long period of time (common for long range travelers) you should make it a point to get up and move around at least once every two hours.

What can trigger the blood clotting process?

There are any number of possibilities. Let’s look at some of these: advanced age, cancer, heart attack, heart failure, major surgery, obesity, paralysis, hip or leg fracture, a history of blood clots, inactivity, prolonged bed rest, stroke, and oral contraceptive use, especially after the age of 35.

One fact that might surprise many of you is that if you were to take a hard tumble, such as falling off of a ladder or tripping and falling like a limp sack of potatoes, there is at least a small chance that a blood clot could form within seconds and trigger a heart attack or stroke. So it just makes good sense to be preventative when talking about blood clots.

What can I do to tip the blood clotting process in may favor?

Your blood must be thick enough to coagulate and be able to stop bleeding in an acceptable amount of time, but yet thin enough to avoid an arterial blocking clot lodging somewhere in your cardiovascular system. Many people in the high risk category for blood clotting take blood thinners such as warfarin or heparin to keep clots from forming. Millions take a daily baby aspirin to accomplish the same thing. And by the way if you didn’t already know a baby aspirin a day reduces ones risk of heart attack by an amazing 33 percent. Aspirin has been shown to be particular important in keeping the blood flowing, while reducing the blood clotting process, in the early morning hours when blood platelets have the highest probability of forming clots.

Additionally, the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been shown to prevent platelets from sticking together and forming clots within the blood vessels. They also accelerate the breakdown of a substance known as fibrin, that is a key component in the blood clotting process. The omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA taken at between 700 and 900 milligrams per day have been shown to have a pronounced blood thinning and clot busting effect; dosages of over 1000 milligrams a day are a topic worth discussing with your doctor.

You should also speak with your doctor before implementing omega 3 rich fish oil supplements if you are already taking prescription anticoagulant drugs or daily dose aspirin. Remember balance is the key here, with finding the right blood thickness being a somewhat subjective balancing act best left to the professionals that takes into account your overall health and blood clotting risks.

By: R.D. Hawkins

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R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To learn more about omega 3 fish oil and its many health benefits Click Here