I. Introduction to blood clots and the efficacy of warfarin
Introduction of blood clot
1.When a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds, the substances contained in the blood that promote blood clotting will gather at the rupture and form a blood clot, blocking the rupture of the blood vessel. This is a good blood clot that reduces blood loss.
2. In the case of cardiovascular disease or prolonged bed rest, harmful blood clots, also called clots, are produced in the heart and blood vessels. This clot will increase in size and move; blocking cerebral blood vessels will cause stroke; blocking pulmonary arteries will cause pulmonary embolism, resulting in chest tightness, shortness of breath and even death. Blockage of limb arteries causes limb necrosis, and in serious cases, even amputation is required. Cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, intravascular grafts, and long-term bed rest are all high-risk factors for thrombosis.
Efficacy of warfarin: To prevent harmful blood clots from forming, doctors put patients on anticoagulants. Warfarin is the most commonly used anticoagulant to prevent harmful blood clots from forming in or around cardiovascular grafts and to reduce the risk of blood clots. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take warfarin, some patients need to take it for life. The following explanation will help you understand the efficacy and risks of warfarin.
Second, the side effects of warfarin
1, any drug has side effects, understand the side effects of warfarin can help you early detection, early prevention. Because warfarin can reduce the body’s ability to clot, people taking warfarin bleeding time and bleeding volume will be significantly increased, excessive bleeding may be fatal.
2. When bleeding occurs in the brain, even very little bleeding may cause death. When bleeding occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, such as patients with gastric ulcers, due to their own reduced coagulation function, sustained heavy bleeding may be fatal.
3. Therefore, warfarin should not be underdosed, nor overdosed. The solution is to use the medication under the guidance of a doctor and to check the blood regularly to adjust the PT and INR within the appropriate range.
Third, taking warfarin
1, must be taken once a day and at a fixed time every day, such as after breakfast or at dinner.
The doctor will adjust the dosage of warfarin according to the value of PT and INR. 5 ml of blood is needed to test PT and INR, and the results are usually available within 2 hours. 12 is the normal value of PT and 1 is the normal value of INR. However, the requirements for PT and INR may vary for different races, different regions of residence, different dietary cultures and even different individuals, so be sure to ask your doctor to help you choose the value that is right for you.
3. Your doctor will tell you the range of PT and INR values that are appropriate for you and will adjust the dose of warfarin according to your PT and INR values. If the INR is low, your doctor will ask you to increase the dosage. If the INR is high, the doctor will ask you to reduce the dosage.
4.How to control PT: Diet, physical activity, labor intensity, disease, and other medications may affect PT, so you must check your blood regularly. To keep your PT stable, you should.
1.Take the medication strictly in the amount required by your doctor, and only once a day at a fixed time.
2.Do not change your diet.
3. The amount of activity should be relatively stable.
4. Before taking any other medication, you must consult your doctor.
5. If you forget to take warfarin once, you should take it immediately when you remember. If the time is close to the next dosing time, do not take it again, you should take it again according to the usual routine, and never use double dose at one time. Because this may make the PT value fluctuate greatly and cause bleeding.
6. Maintaining regular habits, including eating habits and activity habits, will help you maintain a constant PT value and reduce the chances of needing to adjust the dosage.
7. Certain foods are rich in vitamin K. Vitamin K will reduce the PT time, so it is important to keep the vitamin K in food stable. Sudden changes in diet should be avoided to avoid abnormal increases or decreases in vitamin K-rich foods. Foods rich in vitamin K are animal liver, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale vegetables, spinach, other green leafy vegetables, green tea, cheese and certain vitamin additives.
8. Extreme care should be taken to avoid injury, electric razors should be used, and care should be taken when brushing teeth.
9.Be sure to consult your doctor when planning pregnancy and delivery, because taking warfarin may cause fetal malformations and may cause hemorrhage during delivery. There are medications that can replace warfarin during delivery and pregnancy. Taking warfarin does not affect breastfeeding.
11. Remember to tell your healthcare provider that you are taking warfarin, especially when preparing for surgery or invasive tests.
IV. When to see your doctor
1. Serious bleeding may occur even if you take warfarin as directed by your doctor. When there is a head injury, especially when there is a headache, drowsiness or feeling weak, be sure to notify your doctor to rule out brain bleeding.
2. When there is redness in the urine and stool, or very dark stool, there is a possibility of gastrointestinal or urinary bleeding.
3. The appearance of bruises on the skin for no apparent reason indicates subcutaneous bleeding.
4. If you have difficulty in breathing, chest pain, weakness and easy exertion, it may be a sign of anemia and blood loss.
5. Bleeding significantly longer than normal when you brush your teeth.
6.Abnormally high menstrual flow.
7.Coughing or vomiting with blood, diarrhea, chills and high fever.
8.Swollen and painful joints, possibly with intra-articular bleeding.
V. Summary
1, Warfarin can effectively prevent the formation of harmful blood clots in the body.
2.Warfarin is relatively safe if the medication is used correctly. Be sure to check your blood regularly, try not to change your diet, exercise or work habits, and consult your doctor if necessary.
3.Medical staff is always welcome to answer your questions about it.