Heparin is a substance made by the white blood cells in the body itself; it is also a medication used for thinning the blood. This powerful injectable or oral prescription drug is commonly sold under the brand names Coumadin, Dicumarol, Miradon, Sintrom and Warfilone. The Texas Heart Institute states heparin does not thin the blood, but works by helping to prevent blood clots from forming or becoming larger and causing blockages in the vascular system. This medication has several effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
Anti-Coagulant
The Texas Heart Institute lists heparin as a commonly prescribed anti-coagulant that helps to prevent or stabilize clots that form in the arteries, veins and other blood vessels. This is important in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is a potentially fatal disease. In DVT, an embolus, or broken-off piece of a clot, can travel through the vascular system and become lodged in the heart, lungs, brain or other organs. This condition is treated or prevented with heparin.
Blood Flow
The prescription drug heparin can help reduce the risk of heart attack by facilitating the flow of blood pumped by the heart. RxList.com notes it does this by decreasing the risk of blockages in the coronary arteries of the heart itself, because it reduces the ability of blood to clot.
Preventing Disease
RxList.com states heparin is often prescribed after various heart surgeries such as heart valve replacement and to patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation, phlebitis and congestive heart failure. It may also be given to patients that are obese and at high risk of these heart problems. The heparin is prescribed to prevent any complications and worsening heart problems due to blood clots.
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an adverse effect of heparin in which the antibodies form that cause blood clots to happen, and thus lower the platelet or clotting factor count in the body. A study published in the medical journal "Pharmacy and Therapeutics" notes this condition can have serious clotting effects on the heart and requires urgent medical attention.
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