March 3, 2022 | The term “blood thinner” is misleading because this form of medication doesn’t really thin your blood. Instead, they decrease a person’s blood’s ability to clot. Decreased clotting keeps fewer harmful blood clots from forming and from blocking blood vessels. Blood clots can block blood flow to your heart or your brain, ultimately causing a heart attack or stroke. The drugs do not break up clots that you already have but they can stop those clots from getting bigger. Between two and three million Americans take some form of blood thinning medication each year. Known clinically as anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, these medications are usually prescribed to patients with certain heart or blood vessel diseases, with congenital heart defects or with atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. They may also be given to a patient who has undergone heart valve replacement surgery or someone who is at risk for blood clots after surgery.

March 3, 2022 | If you’ve been prescribed a blood thinner by a medical professional, it’s important that you follow the directions you are given regarding the medication to the letter. Blood thinners may interact with certain foods, medicines, vitamins, and alcohol so make sure that your health care provider knows all the medicines and supplements you are using. You may need regular blood tests to check how well your blood is clotting. It is important to make sure that you’re taking enough of the medication to prevent clots, but not so much that it causes bleeding. Bleeding is the most common side effect of blood thinners, they can also cause an upset stomach, nausea or diarrhea. If you experience menstrual bleeding that is much heavier than normal or notice bleeding from the gums or nose that does not stop quickly, consult with your provider. You should do the same if you suffer from unusual bruising or get a cut that does not stop bleeding.

March 3, 2022 | Anticoagulants are a form of blood thinner that slow down your body’s process of making clots. When blood clots work like they’re supposed to, they form at the site of an injury that needs repair and they stay put. However, when clots don’t stay in one place or form in your bloodstream, they can be extremely dangerous. If a clot is too large, it can get stuck in a smaller blood vessel. If that smaller blood vessel is in a critical location, it can block blood flow that one of your organs needs to survive. Some of the most common anticoagulants are heparin, warfarin and apixaban. Most anticoagulants can be taken orally while some, like heparin, are given by injection in a medical facility where you can be monitored for complications. You should watch your diet if you are taking warfarin as large doses of vitamin K, commonly found in fish, liver, brussels sprouts, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, can decrease the effects of the medication.

March 3, 2022 | Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin and clopidogrel prevent blood cells from clumping together to form a clot. These drugs are mainly taken by people who have had a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin is generally the first choice for antiplatelet therapy. Clopidogrel, known clinically as Plavix, may be used in place of aspirin for people who have narrowing of the coronary arteries or who have had a stent inserted. If you are taking an antiplatelet drug, do not take other drugs that may have aspirin or ibuprofen in them before talking with your provider. If you have any type of medical procedure scheduled, you should always check with your provider first about whether it is safe to stop. And be sure to tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Women in the later stages of pregnancy should not take clopidogrel, which can be passed to infants through breast milk.

March 3, 2022 | Because blood thinners interfere with the body’s normal clotting mechanism, it is important to make your dentist aware of your prescription history before undergoing any procedure. Most of the time bleeding from dental procedures is not difficult to control and stop, even in patients who are taking blood thinners. However, both the effect of these medicines on clotting and the potential for bleeding from procedures varies between each patient. Therefore, the risk of bleeding from the procedure must be weighed against the risk of harmful clot formation from altering the dose or discontinuing the medication. On the rare occasion when it is recommended that a medication be discontinued or changed, this decision is typically made by discussion between your dentist and physician. They will determine when and for how long any medication should be discontinued and when it should be resumed. These orders should be followed explicitly.