This week from the National Stroke Association - Blood Thinner Awareness

Blood Thinners

Always some good information in what NSA puts out. This week was the link above that had this important information in it.

Possible Side Effects

When taking a blood thinner it is important to be aware of its possible side effects. Bleeding is the most common side effect.

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following signs of serious bleeding:

• Menstrual bleeding that is much heavier than normal.
• Red or brown urine.
• Bowel movements that are red or look like tar.
• Bleeding from the gums or nose that does not stop quickly.
• Vomit that is brown or bright red.
• Anything red in color that you cough up.
• Severe pain, such as a headache or stomachache.
• Unusual bruising.
• A cut that does not stop bleeding.
• A serious fall or bump on the head.
• Dizziness or weakness.

Some people who take a blood thinner may experience hair loss or skin rashes, but this is rare.


Stay Safe While Taking Your Blood Thinner

Call your doctor and go to the hospital immediately if you have had a bad fall or a hard bump, even if you are not bleeding. You can be bleeding but not see any blood. For example, if you fall and hit your head, bleeding can occur inside your skull. Or, if you hurt your arm during a fall and then notice a large purple bruise, this means you are bleeding under your skin.

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed.

You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities. If you would like to start a new activity that will increase the amount of exercise you get every day, talk to your doctor.

You can still do many things that you enjoy. If you like to work in the yard, you still can. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes and gloves to protect yourself. Or, if you like to ride your bike, be sure you wear a helmet.

Tell others.

Keep a current list of all the medicines you take. Ask your doctor about whether you should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. If you are badly injured and unable to speak, the bracelet lets health care workers know that you are taking a blood thinner.

To prevent injury indoors:

• Be very careful using knives and scissors.
• Use an electric razor.
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Use waxed dental floss.
• Do not use toothpicks.
• Wear shoes or non-skid slippers in the house.
• Be careful when you trim your toenails.
• Do not trim corns or calluses yourself.

To prevent injury outdoors:

• Always wear shoes.
• Wear gloves when using sharp tools.
• Avoid activities and sports that can easily hurt you.
• Wear gardening gloves when doing yard work.

Common Medical Conditions

If you have any of the following medical conditions or are at risk for having them, your doctor may have given you a prescription for a blood thinner. A blood thinner helps your blood flow more easily and lowers your risk for developing blood clots in your body.

Atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation (A-tre-al fi-bri-LA-shun), a type of irregular heartbeat, is a fairly common heart disorder that you may or may not feel. Sometimes your heart will beat too fast or out of rhythm and may cause blood clots. Sometimes atrial fibrillation is also called A-fib.

Blood clots in the lung. A blood clot that forms in another part of your body, such as in your leg, can break loose and move through the blood to your lungs. The clot then gets stuck within a blood vessel that brings blood to the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism, PULL-mun-ary EM-bo-lizm). If the lungs cannot get enough blood, they will be damaged, and you could stop breathing.

Blood clots. Blood clots (DVT, deep vein thrombosis, throm-BO-sis) form in a vein. The veins deep inside your leg, especially the calf and thigh, are the most common areas where clots occur. Blood clots can lead to damage of the blood vessels in your leg and break loose and cause other organ damage.

Family history. Some people are more likely to get blood clots because of a family history. You may have a genetic condition that causes your blood to form potentially dangerous clots.

Heart attack. A heart attack is caused by a lack of blood supply to the heart. The lack of blood happens when one or more of the blood vessels pumping blood to the heart are blocked.

Heart valve disease. Heart valve disease is any problem in one or more of the four valves in the heart. Heart valves keep blood flowing in one direction. They act as a door that swings open, allowing blood to flow through the sections of the heart.

Heart valve replacement. There are many types of artificial valves that are used to replace your own heart valve. The material used to make these valves may cause blood to stick and form clots.

Stroke. A stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. This blockage cuts off the blood flow to a part of the brain and can cause problems with your speech, swallowing, or movement of different parts of your body. You may be at a higher risk for a stroke if you've had a heart attack.