Can Alcohol Cause Blood Clots?

Robert Gerchalk

Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.

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Does Alcoholism Cause Blood Clots?

It’s well known that heavy drinking can lead to all sorts of health problems. But did you know that it can also cause blood clots?

Alcoholism is a major risk factor for developing blood clots. When you drink heavily, your blood becomes thicker and more likely to clot. This increases your risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT can be very dangerous because it can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).

There are other medical conditions that can increase your risk for developing blood clots, including being overweight or obese, being over the age of 40, smoking cigarettes, and having diabetes. But if you have any of these risk factors and you also abuse alcohol, your risk for developing blood clots is even higher.

If you’re struggling with alcoholism, please seek help. There are many resources available to you. Alcoholism is a serious disease that can lead to all sorts of health problems, including blood clots. Get help before it’s too late.