Blood Thinners Also called: Anti-platelet drugs, Anticoagulants Summary If you have some kinds of heart or blood vessel disease, or if you have poor blood flow to your brain, your doctor may recommend that you take a blood thinner. Blood thinners reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing the formation of blood clots in your arteries and veins. You may also take a blood thinner if you have An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation Heart valve surgery Congenital heart defects There are two main types of blood thinners. Anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin), work on chemical reactions in your body to lengthen the time it takes to form a blood clot. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot. When you take a blood thinner, follow directions carefully. Make sure that your healthcare provider knows all of the medicines and supplements you are using. Start Here Anti-Clotting Agents Explained American Heart Association Anticoagulant Medicine: Potential for Drug-Food Interactions National Jewish Health Anticoagulants Texas Heart Institute Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality What Are Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents? American Heart Association What You Need to Know When Taking Anticoagulantion Medication National Jewish Health Specifics Anticoagulation American Heart Association Antiplatelet Drugs: Do You Need One to Help Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke? Consumers Union of U.S. Antiplatelet Therapy Texas Heart Institute Aspirin American Heart Association Daily Aspirin Therapy: Understand the Benefits and Risks Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Medicines to Treat Heart Disease and More Array Patient’s Guide to Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy American College of Chest Physicians Patient’s Guide to Taking Warfarin American Heart Association Array Aspirin and heart disease Clopidogrel (Plavix) How to give a heparin shot Taking warfarin (Coumadin) Related Issues Blood Thinners and Dental Care American Academy of Oral Medicine Blood Thinners: Can I Still Get Blood Clots? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bridging Anticoagulation American Heart Association Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia American Heart Association Important Information to Know When You Are Taking: Warfarin (Coumadin) and Vitamin K National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center Medication Interactions: Food, Supplements and Other Drugs American Heart Association Patient’s Guide to Perioperative Antithrombotic Therapy American College of Chest Physicians PT and INR Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Rivaroxaban to Prevent Pulmonary Embolism after Hip or Knee Replacement American Heart Association Warfarin Side Effects: Watch for Interactions Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Anticoagulants National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Heparin National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Warfarin National Institutes of Health Statistics and Research Commonly Prescribed Blood Thinner Associated with Higher Risk of Post-Surgery Complications National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Genetics Genetics Home Reference: clopidogrel resistance National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: warfarin resistance National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: warfarin sensitivity National Library of Medicine Find an Expert National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Journal Articles Blood Thinners Videos and Tutorials Staying Active and Healthy: Blood Thinners Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Encyclopedia Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) – what to ask your doctor Latest News Low-Dose Aspirin Tied to Better Cancer Survival in Study HealthDay Widely Used Heart Drug Tied to Dementia Risk HealthDay Low-Dose Aspirin Tied to Longer Colon Cancer Survival HealthDay Expert Panel Reaffirms Daily Aspirin’s Use Against Heart Disease, Colon Cancer HealthDay Many with Irregular Heartbeat Missing Out on Stroke-Preventing Treatments HealthDay Is Daily Blood Thinner Needed for Irregular Heartbeat? HealthDay Aspirin After Mini-Stroke May Help Prevent Full-Blown Stroke HealthDay
