Blood clotting is a mechanism that maintains normal blood flow within the veins and arteries. When there is an injury, a clot must quickly form in the affected area to stop the bleeding. However, blood can clot abnormally, forming thrombi and obstructing veins or arteries, which prevents the passage of nutrients and oxygen. For this reason, anticoagulant medications are necessary.
What are anticoagulant medications?
These are substances that reduce or alter blood clotting inside the arteries, veins, and heart.
What are they for?
These treatments aim to dissolve blood clots (thrombi), prevent them from forming again, and reduce complications.
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Signs and symptoms in anticoagulated patients
- Sudden, persistent, and very intense headache.
- Dizziness, fainting, or sudden loss of consciousness.
- Sudden weakness or loss of strength in a limb or on one side of the body.
- Sudden difficulty speaking.
- Intense and persistent pain in a joint (ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder or hip).
- Sudden and persistent blurred vision.
- Oppressive chest pain, with or without shortness of breath.
- Heavy bleeding from the nose or mouth.
- Urine that is pink, reddish, or brown.
- Black, smelly stools or stools with bright red blood.
- Vomiting blood.
- If you have a wound that won't stop bleeding despite applying pressure.
What to do?
Contact an emergency home medical service immediately or go to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.
Report to healthcare personnel:
- That you are an anticoagulated patient.
- Name and dosage of the anticoagulant.
- Date of last dose received.
- That is why you are on anticoagulants.
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- Brochure: Signs and symptoms in the anticoagulated patient
- Video: Main recommendations for the anticoagulated patient
anticoagulant medications
Direct anticoagulants:
These work by selectively and specifically blocking a single protein in the coagulation cascade (the process the body follows to stop bleeding and form scabs or clots).
How do they work?
Its main objective is to "thin" the blood so that it flows more easily through the veins and arteries, preventing the formation of thrombi (semi-solid blood masses) that could break off and travel to vital organs such as the brain or lungs.
If you use direct oral anticoagulants such as Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban or Edoxaban, these are the recommendations you should keep in mind:
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Injectable anticoagulants
Injectable anticoagulants, often known as Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH)These are medications that are administered through the skin to prevent or treat blood clots.
Unlike pills, these medications act almost immediately on the body.
The most commonly used are:
- Enoxaparin
- Dalteparin
- Tinzaparina
- Nadroparin
- Fondaparinux
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How are injectable medications administered?
The application of the injectable anticoagulant is a very easy procedure that you can perform at home:
Warfarin
La warfarin It is one of the most traditional and widely used anticoagulant medications in the world. Its main function is to prevent the liver from using vitamin K to produce proteins that help form clots, thus slowing down blood clotting.
Due to its mechanism of action, the use of warfarin requires a constant commitment to the following points:
1. The control test (INR)
The effect of warfarin varies depending on each person's metabolism, diet, and other medications. Therefore, it is essential to have a blood test called a INR (International Standard Ratio) on a periodic basis.
- This test measures the time it takes for the blood to clot.
- The doctor will adjust your warfarin dose based solely on the INR result.
2. Dietary stability
It is not necessary to stop eating green vegetables, but it is essential to maintain a consistent intake. constant and without sudden changesFoods rich in vitamin K may decrease the effect of the medication. Examples:
- Spinach, broccoli, lettuce and cabbage.
- Vegetable oils and green tea.
3. Interactions with other medications
Warfarin interacts with many medications, including common pain relievers (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) and natural products. Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.
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Nutrition for the anticoagulated patient
As a patient or caregiver, it is important to be aware of which foods can alter the treatment and purpose of anticoagulant medications.
Patients using anticoagulant medications have a general recommendation:
They should not drink herbal infusions:
- Ginger.
- Chamomile.
- Calendula.
- Valerian.
- Moringa, among others.
Aromatic plant waters can affect the treatment, as some have properties that, when consumed, alter the effect of the anticoagulant, leading to bleeding or thrombosis.
However, the marinade for meats, the use of cilantro, or the herbs added to soups do not interact with medications.
Yes, they can drink fruit-infused herbal teas, green tea, and black tea.
They should also not consume homeopathic or natural products:
- Ginseng.
- Ginkgo biloba.
- Plant-based products.
- Products with unknown components.
Patients taking direct or injectable anticoagulants have no dietary restrictions. However, patients taking warfarin should consume a serving of vitamin K-rich foods daily, as this helps maintain optimal levels of the medication.
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What is thrombosis?
Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot, known as a thrombus, forms inside a blood vessel, obstructing or disrupting normal blood flow. A thrombus can form due to various causes, including:
- Severe impact or trauma
- Surgeries
- Prolonged periods of rest
- Conditions that alter the composition of blood
- Heart diseases
- Use of certain medications
- Advanced age
- Family or personal history
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Alcohol and cigarette consumption
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The symptoms of thrombosis will depend on the location of the clot. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical help immediately:
- Sudden, very intense headache that does not go away.
- Dizziness, fainting, or sudden loss of consciousness.
- Sudden weakness or loss of strength in one side of the body or in a limb.
- Sudden difficulty speaking.
- Sudden and persistent blurred vision.
- Oppressive chest pain, which may be accompanied by difficulty breathing.
- Severe and persistent pain in a joint such as the ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, or hip.
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