The key for cardiovascular disease patients is to be aware of the risks and maintain regular communication with healthcare providers, Dr. If you overwhelm the system in one way, then it can be affected it in other ways.” Keep Your Doctors and Pharmacists in the Loop “Foods and drugs are just different elements with different purposes, but it’s all handled by the same process. “It’s just the way the body processes nutrients and elements,” Dr. And even simple things like salt, which is widespread in the food supply can take a toll because it increases the amount of fluid retained in the body, rendering the medication dose inadequate. Other consumables, such as alcohol, can also have an impact on medications due to the way it can change the liver’s ability to filter medication from the body. Gandy said, patients who want to keep eating these fruits can be treated with alternative medications. In the case of statin-based cholesterol medications, including those marketed under brands such as Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor, grapefruit and pomegranate can be a dangerous mix. On the flip side, some over-the-counter medications used to treat cold and allergy symptoms can cause the blood thinners to have more potent effects. Antibiotics and common pain relievers also can cause the blood to thicken. Vitamin supplements can also disrupt a carefully balanced dosage of medication. Gandy said food isn’t the only thing to be cautious of when taking blood thinners, also called anticoagulants. “If you’re eating salad three times a week, then you need to continue that to maintain consistency and balance.” Interactions from Supplements and Other Medicationsĭr. It comes down to maintaining a careful balance when using anti-coagulants such as Coumadin (also known generically as warfarin and marketed under the brand names Marevan, Lawarin, Waran and Warfant).
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Gandy Jr., a cardiologist with Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta and an American Heart Association volunteer, said these potential dangers don’t mean patients get a free pass when it comes to eating their veggies. Eating high levels of these vegetables can counteract the medication’s effectiveness. Their high vitamin K levels pose risks for patients being treated with *blood thinners to prevent strokes. Other examples include some leafy green veggies, such as spinach or kale. Perhaps the best-known example is grapefruit, which, along with pomegranate, can alter the way certain cholesterol medications work. But even healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, can cause unintended and possibly dangerous interactions with certain medications. In fact, it can help reverse a condition or reduce the need for medication. Healthy eating is critical for patients battling cardiovascular disease, also called heart disease. Some foods - even healthy ones - can make your medications less effective. National Hypertension Control Initiative.Pets and Your Health / Healthy Bond for Life.