One of the things that can trigger a heart attack or a stroke is blood clots. People who have an increased risk of having these kinds of cardiovascular problems often take chemicals known as anticoagulants or blood thinners, which work to make it harder for the blood to clot. Although prescription blood thinners are available, protection against blood clots can also be obtained by taking aspirin or the herbal compound feverfew. However, because both of these medications make it harder for the blood to clot, patients should use care when taking these compounds simultaneously. Because there is not enough evidence to support the use of feverfew for the treatment of any condition, you should talk with your doctor before taking this compound.
Step 1
Use lower doses of aspirin. Although it is commonly accepted that taking aspirin each day can be beneficial for people who have had a heart attack or stroke or who are at risk of having these health problems, there is no standard dose, MayoClinic.com explains. Baby aspirin, which contains 81mg of aspirin per tablet, or other low-dose forms of aspirin can help protect patients against heart attacks and stroke without making it too hard for the blood to clot. Check with your doctor before beginning an aspirin regimen to make sure that it will not exacerbate any other medical problems you have or interfere with any medications you are taking.
Step 2
Take appropriate doses of feverfew. Feverfew can come in various forms, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. The standard dose for feverfew tablets is 100mg to 300mg, which can be taken up to four times per day. In the case of feverfew that has been extracted using carbon dioxide, doses of 6.25mg are recommended three times per day. Feverfew tinctures can also be used for the treatment of arthritis, though the number of drops can vary depending on the concentration of the tincture. Again, because the effectiveness and safety of herbal supplements such as feverfew has not been proved, talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment regimen that involves feverfew.
Step 3
Be aware of any bleeding problems that you may develop. Drugs.com notes that taking feverfew along with aspirin can make it too hard for the blood to clot, which can lead to easy bleeding and bruising. This can be especially troublesome if the bleeding occurs in the digestive tract, where it can cause dark stools with a coffee-ground consistency. Let your doctor know before taking feverfew and aspirin at the same time, as you may need blood work to see if the two medications are making it too hard for the blood to clot.
Things You'll Need
- Aspirin
- Feverfew supplements
