[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner\/","headline":"What Is a “Blood Thinner?”","name":"What Is a “Blood Thinner?”","description":"Blood thinners reduce the the likelihood that you will form a blood clot. Learn more about the types of blood thinners and how they help other disorders.","datePublished":"2015-04-15","dateModified":"2021-02-11","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner.jpg","height":324,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":641,"keywords":["atrial fibrillation","blood clot","blood thinner","congenital heart disease","deep vein thrombosis","heart attack","heart valve","stroke"],"articleBody":"Your body needs a healthy flow of blood to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Some medical conditions can affect healthy blood flow, putting you at risk of a heart attack or stroke.To help lower this risk, your doctor might prescribe a medicine that will keep the blood from clotting as easily. These medicines are commonly called blood thinners.While a blood thinner does not really “thin” your blood, it can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke by preventing blood clots. If you already have a blood clot, these medicines help to keep it from getting bigger and can help prevent your body from forming new clots.These medicines can also raise your risk of bleeding, so it is important to know when bleeding or bruising is unusual and when to talk with your doctor.What Is a Blood Clot?If you have a cut or bruise, a blood clot is a good thing. When you damage a blood vessel, small pieces of cells in your blood called platelets stick together to form a clot and send out a signal to draw more platelets to your injury. Once your injury heals, your blood clot usually dissolves on its own.Clotting is an important function that your body needs to heal itself, but some medical conditions, behaviors, or situations can cause dangerous blood clots to form. This can be life-threatening if a clot moves and blocks blood flow to your brain, heart, or lungs.When Is a Blood Thinner Used?Blood thinners are usually prescribed for people who have conditions that affect healthy blood flow, including:Atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heart beat that can cause blood to pool in the top chambers of your heart, which can cause blood clots to formCongenital heart defects, or heart problems that you are born withDeep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot in a large vein, usually in your legHeart valve surgeryA history of heart attack or strokeA history of blood clotsTypes of Blood Thinner MedicationThere are two main types of blood thinners.AnticoagulantsAnticoagulants, like warfarin (or the brand name Coumadin\u00ae), slow down the chemical reaction that happens when your blood tries to clot and can also keep clots that have already formed from getting bigger. Some anticoagulants require you to have your blood checked regularly to make sure they are working properly.Antiplatelet drugsAntiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel (or the brand name Plavix\u00ae), keep your platelets from sticking together.What You Need to KnowBecause blood thinners affect your blood’s ability to clot, you might bleed easier than usual. To avoid complications, it is very important to take your medicine exactly how your doctor tells you.Some other medicines and foods make blood thinners stronger or weaker. Talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements, as well as your diet to make sure that you are not at risk of a bad interaction.In case of an emergency, carry a card in your wallet that lists all the medicines you take. It’s also a good idea to have a medical alert bracelet showing that you take a blood thinner.Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, which may be a sign of major bleeding:Bleeding from your gums or nose that does not stop within a few minutesA wound that does not stop bleeding after you apply pressure to itBlood in your urine or stoolStools that are black like tarVomiting or coughing up bloodBruises that appear for no reason, get larger or more painful, or are sudden and severeTo learn more about blood thinners, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute online or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is a “Blood Thinner?”","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/04\/what-is-a-blood-thinner\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]