What are blood thinners used for and what should you be aware of?

What are blood thinners used for?

Blood thinners are used both to prevent blood clots and to treat existing blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. They do this by inhibiting the clotting factors in the blood, thereby reducing the blood’s ability to clot, also known as clotting. 

The most common reasons for starting anticoagulation therapy are:

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg).
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).
• Heart rhythm disorders, especially atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (also known as atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter).
• If you have an artificial heart valve, anticoagulation treatment is often necessary for many types of valves, especially if the valve is mechanical. This is not necessary for so-called biological valves.
• Some blood thinners can also be used to treat rarer blood clots in the body or to prevent blood clots after hip and knee surgery.

Which medication is a blood thinner?

One of two different types of medication is used for anticoagulation treatment:

1. Treatment with DOAC/warfarin: counteracts the effect of vitamin K, which helps to clot the blood
2. Treatment with NOAC: reduce blood clotting by inhibiting the formation of various factors in the blood that are not vitamin K-dependent. 

What side effects do blood thinners have?

All types of blood thinners reduce the risk of blood clots, but also carry a small risk of bleeding, which is the most common and significant side effect. Bleeding can manifest as bleeding gums, nosebleeds or bruising on the skin. The latter is especially common, but it does not necessarily mean that the medicine is too strong. Serious bleeding, such as stomach or brain bleeding, requires hospitalization. Bleeding can be both visible, such as blood in the urine, and invisible, such as bleeding in the stomach, where the blood cannot be seen in the stool, but is instead detected by a falling blood count.

Other side effects not related to bleeding depend on the specific type of blood thinner you are taking. These may include stomach pain, muscle aches, fatigue, rash, etc. These side effects are described in more detail in the package leaflet.

Can you stop taking blood-thinning medication?

Blood thinners can often require lifelong treatment, but the specific duration depends largely on the reason for the treatment. The duration of treatment for blood clots in the lungs or legs/arms after surgery is usually around three months. However, the treatment period may extend to six months or longer if the blood clot occurs spontaneously without a known cause. There are certain conditions that require lifelong treatment with blood thinners. This applies to the following situations:

• Recurrent blood clots in the legs/arms or lungs.
• Implantation of certain types of artificial heart valves, where Warfarin is often preferred.
• Blood clots associated with cancer, where NOAK (Non-vitamin K antagonists) are often preferred.
• Defects in the blood clotting system.
• Lifelong treatment for heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, also known as “heart flutter.”

The duration of treatment is adjusted individually depending on the underlying condition and the patient’s needs. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to achieve the best possible effect of blood thinning medication.

What should you be aware of when taking blood-thinning medication? 

When using blood-thinning medication, you should be aware of the following:

• INR value and blood tests: To ensure the correct dosage of the medication, the INR value must be monitored regularly via blood tests.
• Kidney function: Some blood-thinning medications are affected by the kidneys, so it is important to test kidney function regularly.
• Interactions with other medications: Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, as some medications can interact with blood thinners and affect their effectiveness.
• Surgery and dental treatment: Before scheduled surgery or dental treatment, consult your doctor about adjusting blood-thinning medications to reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women taking blood thinners should work closely with both a hematologist and a gynecologist to find the safest option during pregnancy due to risks to the fetus.
• Diet and amount of vitamin K: Vitamin K affects the ability of the blood to clot, and major changes in diet can affect the INR value and the effectiveness of the medication. It is important to maintain a stable amount of vitamin K in the diet and avoid major fluctuations.

Always remember to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and seek medical advice if you have any concerns or questions about the medication’s effects or side effects.

Osteopathy and blood thinners

The osteopath is always particularly aware of the situation when the patient is taking blood-thinning medication. The basis for this is that with more aggressive treatment techniques, blood can accumulate around the area the therapist has concentrated on.