Increased clotting of your blood increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Both fish oil and aspirin are often recommended to decrease blood clotting. Taking the two together, however, is discouraged as the interaction may cause health issues. Discuss different options with a health care provider to determine if aspirin or fish oil will benefit your condition.
Natural Blood Thinner
Including fatty fish in your diet may provide you with the level of fish oil you need. Meal times may include servings of baked or grilled fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and other fatty fish. These fish are all high in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential acids cause the benefits of fish oil such as decreasing triglycerides, plaque and blood clotting times. A 3-oz. serving of some fatty fish such as Atlantic salmon or herring can contain nearly 2 g of omega-3 fatty acids. If you are not a seafood eater, taking fish oil in a supplement or opting for aspirin may be a better choice, depending on your medical doctor's advice.
Asprin Benefits
Many patients battling heart disease take a low-dose form of aspirin between 75 and 300 mg. The over-the-counter drug is often priced lower than fish oil supplements. According to Drugs.com, nearly one-third of adult Americans take a dose of aspirin daily. The website also states that recent studies suggest the lower the dose of medication, the better for prevention of side effects. Do not stop your daily dose of aspirin or you could increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Side Effects
Side effects of fish oil and aspirin should be considered when making a comparison. Fish oil is generally considered a safe supplement. You may suffer from fishy burps and belching when taking fish oil. Take fish oil with food to avoid this unpleasant side effect. Aspirin should also be taken with food or a glass of milk. Aspirin increases your risk of internal bleeding and stomach ulcers. Fish oil may also interfere with high blood pressure medications, causing your levels to reach unsafe, low amounts. Anticoagulant medications will effect both fish oil and aspirin and may increase risk of bleeding.
Effect
When you do combine fish oil and aspirin, you place your body at risk for increased bleeding. Cuts and scrapes may not stop bleeding. You may have internal bleeding that is not recognizable until your blood pressure drops to excessively low levels. Other signs of bleeding include longer monthly menstruation cycles, bloody noses and quick bruising of the skin. In serious situations, the bleeding may even cause a stroke. Vessels in the brain can burst leading to a life-threatening situation. Seek guidance from your physician about the effects of fish oil and aspirin.
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