Beat Heart Disease with Simple ABCs
FEB 06, 2024With heart disease remaining the number one killer of women and men in the United States, it’s important to take action to protect your heart – even if you feel fine.
Read MoreWhy do I need a blood thinner? What is an INR? Why do some people with blood thinners need an INR test and others do not?
Blood thinners or anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood clots from forming. You may be prescribed a blood thinner for various reasons. These include:
There are several different anticoagulants. Your specific health condition determines which anticoagulant your doctor will prescribe. Not all blood thinners require a blood test.
One medication, Warfarin (brand names Coumadin and Jantoven) will require you to regularly get a blood test called an INR. An INR measures how long it takes for your blood to clot. When on Warfarin, your target INR range is between 2 and 3.5, depending on your medical condition. Your Warfarin dosage may change depending on what your INR is.
Warfarin interacts with certain foods and medications, including:
This does not mean you can not eat foods with Vitamin K. Just remember to keep your diet consistent and not make any major changes. Because Warfarin interacts with some medications, be sure to inform your health care provider who is managing your INR about any new prescription medications or over the counter medications you are taking.
It is important that you take your blood thinner as prescribed and notify your health care provider if you have any unusual signs of bleeding. The American Heart Association has a website for further information on anticoagulants.
With heart disease remaining the number one killer of women and men in the United States, it’s important to take action to protect your heart – even if you feel fine.
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