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Anticoagulants: Lifesavers with Medical Risks

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Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that can cause circulation problems and blood clots. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants are an effective and safe alternative to the use of warfarin in the treatment of this disease.

anticoagulants

Atrial fibrillation is a fast, irregular heart rate that usually leads to poor circulation in the body.

Symptoms are usually, among others, palpitations, suffocation and weakness. With this condition the two upper chambers of the heart, called atria, beat chaotically fast and are out of sync with the lower chambers, called ventricles.

That abnormal heart rhythm can cause blood to pool in the atria and form clots, which can break off and travel from the heart to the brain and, once there, not only obstruct blood flow but also cause a cerebrovascular accident. Similarly, clots from atrial fibrillation can lodge in other blood vessels and disrupt blood flow to the kidney, leg, colon, or other parts of the body, he explains. Martha grogan, a Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Disease Specialist.

Anticoagulants are drugs that thin the blood and can greatly reduce the risk of stroke or other damage from blood clots in those who have atrial fibrillation. These delay blood clotting and, in this way, hinder the formation of clots and prevent existing ones from increasing in size.

For years, the anticoagulant commonly used for atrial fibrillation was warfarin, which, while effective in preventing blood clots, is also a powerful drug that carries serious side effects, such as low risk of bleeding within the brain or another part of the body. When the level of this drug is very high, bleeding is more likely to occur; but when it is very low, clots are more likely to form. Many medications interfere with warfarin and can increase or decrease its level in the blood, so people who take it need to have regular blood tests to verify that the dose is correct.

Newer drugs called direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, and others, are other alternatives. These drugs are shorter acting than warfarin and do not require blood tests to monitor the risk of bleeding or clots. They are usually given once or twice daily and have less drug or food interference than warfarin, he says. Martha grogan, a Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Disease Specialist.

Today, direct-acting oral anticoagulants are often the first alternative in anticoagulation therapy, although warfarin may still be the correct alternative on certain occasions. For example, in people with atrial fibrillation from disease of the heart valves, as well as in those who have prosthetic heart valves or mitral stenosis. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants are also not recommended for people with liver disease serious or for those taking certain medications.

Whatever the blood thinner, your mother's healthcare provider will target a dose and take into account the risk of clotting, as well as other health problems she may have. The administration of warfarin involves doing regular checks to verify that the blood clotting time remains within a certain range. This type of monitoring usually requires monthly blood tests that are done in the healthcare provider's office. Several medical institutions, including Mayo Clinic, also offer programs for home control of warfarin, once the patient reaches a stable dose for a minimum period of three months, concludes the Mayo Clinic specialist.

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Medical risks associated with the use of anticoagulants include the risk of excessive bleeding, internal bleeding, hematoma formation, bleeding in the brain, and gastrointestinal bleeding. They can also cause allergic reactions and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. It is important to follow medical instructions and carry out regular check-ups to minimize these risks. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/tendencias/los-anticoagulantes-trabajon-salvar-vidas-pero-hay-riesgos-medicos
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Last modified: March 22, 2024