MedlinePlus: Blood Thinners

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Blood Thinners

Also called: Anti-platelet drugs, Anticoagulants

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

What Are Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents?(American Heart Association) - Links to PDF

Basics	Learn More	Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews Latest News	Nutrition Specific Conditions Related Issues	Tutorials
Research	Reference Shelf	For You
Financial Issues Clinical Trials Research Journal Articles	Organizations	No links available

Overviews
- Antiplatelet Drugs(Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
- Blood-Thinning Medicines(Texas Heart Institute)
Latest News
- Plavix, Heartburn Drugs May Be Risky Combination(05/06/2009, HealthDay)
- Automated Calls May Help Doctors Monitor Patients(04/28/2009, HealthDay)
- No Increase in Clots with Drug-Eluting Stents(03/30/2009, HealthDay)
- Could Genetics Improve Warfarin Dosing?(02/18/2009, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
- More News on Blood Thinners
Nutrition
- Important Information to Know When You Are Taking: Coumadin and Vitamin K(National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center) - Links to PDF
- Warfarin (Coumadin) Diet: What Can I Eat?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Specific Conditions
- Anticoagulation(American Heart Association)
- Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research)
- Coumadin - Introduction(Patient Education Institute)
  Also available in Spanish
- Daily Aspirin Therapy: Understand the Benefits and Risks(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Patient's Guide to Taking Coumadin/Warfarin(American Heart Association)
- Your Guide to Coumadin/Warfarin Therapy(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
  Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
- Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia(American Heart Association)
- Updated Labeling for Coumadin (Warfarin)(Food and Drug Administration)
- Warfarin Side Effects: Watch for Dangerous Interactions(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Warfarin: Any Harm in Long-Term Use?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Tutorials
- Coumadin - Introduction(Patient Education Institute)
  Also available in Spanish
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Financial Issues
- Antiplatelet Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.)
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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)
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Research
- Consensus Document Outlines Practical Steps for Reducing Gastrointestinal Risks(American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Gastroenterology)
- Home Monitoring Is as Safe as Clinic Testing for Patients on Blood Thinner, But Not Superior(American Heart Association)
- Is Vitamin K Helpful for People Who Have Taken Too Much Warfarin?(American College of Physicians) - Links to PDF
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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