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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Coumadin
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Coumadin
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 08, 1998 at 08:17:23:
In Reply to: Coumadin posted by Cecilia on December 07, 1998 at 00:30:42:
I am concerned about the use of coumadin with the consumption of alcohol.
My friend was prescribed coumadin for atrial fibrilation. He consumes alcohol
frequently (he also eats a lot of greens which I hear thins the blood also).
His doctor told him not to change his eating or drinking habits. I'm worried
about this combination, is it okay?
Dear Cecilia
I agree with your concern. Alcohol can either decrease or increase the blood thinning effect of coumadin. Vegetables like spinach or broccoli (with Vitamin K) can decrease the effect of coumadin. I usually do not recommend changing diet because of coumadin; once the medicine has been started, I caution against then making any major dietary changes without getting certain blood tests.
I usually caution against alcohol, especially heavy intake. This is in part because of the direct effect alcohol can have on raising or lowering the coumadin level. Also, heavy drinkers are more likely to fall, get in fights, etc. While that may not be desirable in anyone, relatively minor trauma to the head can be fatal if a patient is on coumadin.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
In Reply to: Coumadin posted by Cecilia on December 07, 1998 at 00:30:42:
I am concerned about the use of coumadin with the consumption of alcohol.
My friend was prescribed coumadin for atrial fibrilation. He consumes alcohol
frequently (he also eats a lot of greens which I hear thins the blood also).
His doctor told him not to change his eating or drinking habits. I'm worried
about this combination, is it okay?
Dear Cecilia
I agree with your concern. Alcohol can either decrease or increase the blood thinning effect of coumadin. Vegetables like spinach or broccoli (with Vitamin K) can decrease the effect of coumadin. I usually do not recommend changing diet because of coumadin; once the medicine has been started, I caution against then making any major dietary changes without getting certain blood tests.
I usually caution against alcohol, especially heavy intake. This is in part because of the direct effect alcohol can have on raising or lowering the coumadin level. Also, heavy drinkers are more likely to fall, get in fights, etc. While that may not be desirable in anyone, relatively minor trauma to the head can be fatal if a patient is on coumadin.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
