Deep vein thrombosis: Taking anticoagulants safely

Anticoagulants are medications that help prevent abnormal blood clotting. They work by increasing the time it takes a blood clot to form. Normally, when an injury that causes bleeding occurs, the body sends out signals that cause the blood to clot at the wound, and the clot naturally breaks down as the wound heals. A person prone to abnormal clotting has an imbalance between clot formation and clot breakdown. Anticoagulant medications prevent new clots from forming and prevent existing clots from growing (extending) by stopping the production of certain proteins that are needed for blood to clot. However, they do not break up or dissolve existing blood clots.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Anticoagulants break up blood clots.

   1. True

      This answer is incorrect.

      Anticoagulants do not break up blood clots; instead, they increase the time it takes for a blood clot to form and prevent existing clots from growing.

   2. False

      This answer is correct.

      Anticoagulants do not break up blood clots; instead, they increase the time it takes for a blood clot to form and prevent existing blood clots from growing.

Anticoagulants are important for people who have deep vein thrombosis because they can prevent existing clots from getting larger and also prevent new clots from forming. The more blood clots you develop and the larger they are, the higher your chance is of developing complications.

Test Your Knowledge

1. People who have more than one deep vein thrombosis are at increased risk for complications.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      Each deep vein thrombosis increases your risk of developing complications.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      Each deep vein thrombosis increases your risk of developing complications.

People with a deep vein thrombosis use anticoagulants to slow down the clotting of their blood. Sometimes anticoagulants can cause blood to clot too slowly and bleeding can be difficult to stop. Consider the following safety tips when you are taking anticoagulants.

Medications

• Take the medication at the same time each day. Have a plan prepared if you miss a dose.
• Check with your doctor before using any other medications, including nonprescription medications that may contain aspirin. To help keep track of all of your medications, use a medication planner (What is a PDF document?) .
• Tell any new health professional you consult that you are taking anticoagulant medication.

Managing your increased bleeding risk

• Be on the alert for signs of unusual bleeding. Call your doctor immediately if signs of bleeding appear.
• Get regular blood tests to check your clotting time. When you are taking an anticoagulant, you will have blood drawn regularly so that your doctor can monitor the level of the anticoagulant in your blood. The test that measures how long it takes your blood to clot is called prothrombin time, or pro-time.
• Be aware of how some medications and diet affect anticoagulant medications. Tell your doctor about any new medications before you start them.
• Prevent accidents that may lead to excessive bleeding:
  • Use precautions when you participate in activities with a risk of injury.
  • Modify your environment to help prevent falls.
• Don't smoke. Smoking affects how the body uses medication and increases the blood's clotting effects.

Test Your Knowledge

1. I should be careful to avoid injury when taking anticoagulants.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      It is important to take care to avoid injury while taking anticoagulants. Injury may lead to surface or internal bleeding that is difficult to control due to the anticlotting action of these medications.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      It is important to take care to avoid injury while taking anticoagulants. Injury may lead to surface or internal bleeding that is difficult to control due to the anticlotting action of these medications.

Now that you have read this information, you can feel confident that you can take anticoagulants safely.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to use a highlighter to mark areas or make notes in the margins of the pages where you have questions.

If you would like more information on taking anticoagulants, the following resources are available:

Organizations