What are the benefits of taking blood thinners?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 8 million Americans take prescribed blood thinners to combat blood clots [1.2.5]. These medications are crucial for preventing life-threatening events like strokes and heart attacks. So, what are the benefits of taking blood thinners? They work by interfering with the clotting process to prevent dangerous clots from forming or growing [1.2.1, 1.2.3].

Quick Summary

Blood thinners are vital for preventing and treating harmful blood clots. They are prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism.

Key Points

Primary Benefit: Blood thinners prevent the formation and growth of dangerous blood clots that can cause strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolisms [1.2.1].
Two Main Types: Medications are categorized as either anticoagulants (like warfarin and Eliquis) or antiplatelets (like aspirin and Plavix), which work differently to stop clots [1.3.2].
Key Indications: They are commonly prescribed for atrial fibrillation (AFib), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), after heart valve or major joint surgery, and to prevent recurrent heart attacks [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
Major Risk: The most common and serious side effect of all blood thinners is an increased risk of bleeding [1.7.1].
Modern Options (DOACs): Newer drugs called DOACs (e.g., Xarelto, Eliquis) offer the convenience of less monitoring compared to warfarin but may be more expensive [1.2.5, 1.7.2].
Lifestyle Adjustments: Patients must take precautions to avoid injury, inform all doctors about their medication, and be aware of potential interactions with other drugs and foods [1.8.2, 1.8.3].
Not a Cure: Blood thinners do not dissolve existing clots but prevent new ones from forming and existing ones from getting larger [1.2.1].

Understanding Blood Thinners: Not Just a Thinner

Contrary to their name, blood thinners don't actually make the blood less viscous [1.3.5]. Instead, these powerful medications interfere with the body's natural clotting process to prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots or to stop existing ones from enlarging [1.2.1]. Blood clots that form in blood vessels can travel to critical organs like the brain, heart, or lungs, leading to severe medical emergencies such as a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism [1.2.2].

There are two primary categories of blood thinners, each working through a different mechanism [1.3.2]:

Anticoagulants: These drugs, such as warfarin and Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), slow down the chemical reactions in the body that produce clotting factors [1.3.4]. They are often prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) [1.2.5].
Antiplatelets: This group, which includes aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix), works by preventing tiny blood cells called platelets from clumping together to initiate a clot [1.3.2]. Antiplatelets are frequently used for individuals who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke [1.2.1].

The Life-Saving Benefits of Preventing Blood Clots

The primary benefit of taking blood thinners is the prevention of thromboembolic events—serious conditions caused by blood clots. Healthcare providers prescribe them for several key reasons [1.2.4]:

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): AFib is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can cause blood to pool and clot in the heart's upper chambers [1.2.2]. These clots can travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Anticoagulants are highly effective at reducing this risk [1.10.2].
Treating and Preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): VTE includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in a deep vein (usually the leg), and pulmonary embolism (PE), where a clot travels to the lungs [1.4.2, 1.4.3]. Studies show the risk of VTE is significantly higher in the months following an AFib diagnosis [1.5.5]. Blood thinners are the frontline treatment to prevent a clot from growing and to reduce the risk of a life-threatening PE [1.2.3].
Following Heart Valve or Joint Replacement Surgery: Artificial heart valves and major surgeries like hip or knee replacements increase the risk of clot formation [1.2.2, 1.4.2]. Blood thinners are essential post-operatively to prevent clots from forming on new valves or in the legs due to immobility [1.2.4].
Preventing a Second Heart Attack or Stroke: For patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke caused by a clot, antiplatelet drugs like aspirin are a cornerstone of secondary prevention [1.2.3, 1.10.1].

Comparison of Common Blood Thinners

The choice of blood thinner depends on the patient's specific condition, medical history, lifestyle, and cost [1.10.3].


Medication Type	Common Examples	Mechanism & Use	Monitoring & Considerations
Vitamin K Antagonist	Warfarin (Coumadin)	Blocks the body's use of Vitamin K, which is needed for clotting [1.2.3]. Used for AFib, valve replacements.	Requires regular blood tests (INR) to monitor effectiveness. Many food and drug interactions [1.7.2]. Remains the preferred choice for patients with mechanical heart valves [1.6.1].
Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)	Apixaban (Eliquis), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), Dabigatran (Pradaxa)	Directly target and block specific clotting factors in the blood [1.2.3]. Used for AFib and VTE.	No routine blood monitoring required. Fewer food interactions than warfarin [1.7.2]. Generally have a lower risk of serious bleeding than warfarin, but can be more expensive [1.2.5, 1.6.3].
Antiplatelets	Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix)	Prevent platelets from sticking together to form a clot [1.3.1]. Primarily used to prevent heart attack and stroke [1.3.2].	Generally do not require monitoring. Aspirin is available over-the-counter, but should only be used for this purpose under a doctor's direction [1.10.4].

Understanding the Risks and Side Effects

The most significant risk associated with all blood thinners is bleeding [1.7.1]. Because these medications inhibit the body's ability to form clots, even minor injuries can cause more significant bleeding. Signs of serious bleeding that require immediate medical attention include red or black stools, urine that is red or brown, coughing up blood, severe headache, or unusual bruising [1.8.3].

Other side effects can include upset stomach and nausea [1.2.1]. It's crucial for patients to inform all their healthcare providers, including dentists, that they are taking a blood thinner before any procedure [1.8.2].

Lifestyle and Safety Precautions

Living a full life on blood thinners is possible with some precautions [1.8.4]. Patients should:

Take medication exactly as prescribed and never double a dose if one is missed [1.8.2].
Be cautious with sharp objects like knives and razors. Using a soft toothbrush and an electric razor is recommended [1.8.3].
Avoid high-contact sports where there is a significant risk of injury [1.8.2].
Inform all healthcare providers about their medication, as many other drugs and even some supplements can interact with blood thinners [1.8.2].
Wear a medical alert bracelet to inform emergency responders in case of an accident [1.8.3].

Conclusion

The benefits of taking blood thinners are profound and often life-saving. By preventing the formation of dangerous blood clots, these medications play a critical role in reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism in high-risk individuals [1.2.2]. While the risk of bleeding requires careful management and lifestyle adjustments, for many patients the protection these drugs offer against catastrophic vascular events is invaluable. The decision to start a blood thinner is made carefully between a patient and their doctor, weighing the individual benefits against the risks [1.10.2].

For more information, you can visit the American Heart Association's page on anticoagulants: https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/resource-library/lets-talk-about-stroke/anticoagulants-and-antiplatelet-agents

Frequently Asked Questions

The two main types are anticoagulants, like warfarin and Eliquis, which slow down the clotting process, and antiplatelets, like aspirin, which prevent blood platelets from clumping together [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

It depends on your medical condition. For chronic conditions like atrial fibrillation or for those with mechanical heart valves, lifelong therapy is common. For temporary risk periods, like after surgery, treatment may be short-term [1.2.4, 1.9.3].

Bleeding is the most common side effect. This can range from minor issues like bruising or nosebleeds to serious internal bleeding, which requires immediate medical attention [1.7.1, 1.9.4].

No, you should not substitute aspirin for a prescribed anticoagulant like warfarin or Eliquis without consulting your doctor. For conditions like atrial fibrillation, anticoagulants are much more effective at preventing strokes than aspirin [1.6.1, 1.10.2].

If you take warfarin, you need to maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables, as it can affect how the drug works. Newer blood thinners (DOACs) have far fewer dietary restrictions [1.8.2, 1.7.2].

If you miss a dose, you should call your doctor for instructions. You should not take a double dose to make up for the missed one, as this can increase your risk of bleeding [1.8.2].

While some foods and supplements like turmeric and ginger may have mild blood-thinning properties, they are not a substitute for prescription medications and can be dangerous if combined with them. Always consult a doctor before using them [1.11.1, 1.11.2].