Anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, work by preventing blood from clotting, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality. Since blood clots increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other dangerous diseases, blood thinners can help prevent these serious medical conditions. But anticoagulants can also cause serious bleeding and other side effects.
Beneficial Effects
Anticoagulants are often used to treat conditions that are caused by blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or stroke, according to AHRQ. Blood thinners can prevent the problem from worsening or occurring again. Anticoagulants can also be used to prevent complications such as organ damage or stroke when someone has a condition that may cause blood clots to form. Such conditions can be dangerous because the blood clots can travel through the body damaging vital organs like the heart. These conditions include atrial fibrillation, a family history of blood clots, heart valve disease or an artificial heart valve. Blood thinners are also prescribed after a heart attack or stroke to prevent a recurrence.
Side Effects
Bleeding is the most common side effect of anticoagulants and the most dangerous, according to AHRQ. A doctor should be called immediately if there are these signs of bleeding: unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, red or brown urine or vomit, red or black stool, bleeding from the gums or nose or any cut that won't stop, coughing up blood, severe headache or stomachache, loss of appetite, bloating, gas, diarrhea, heavy bruising, a bad fall or bump on the head, lightheadedness and weakness. Less common and less serious side effects are hair loss, back pain, jaundice and skin rashes.
Lifestyle Effects
Because of the risk of dangerous bleeding, patients must take precautions to prevent injury that could lead to life-threatening bleeding, according to AHRQ. Contact sports and other activities that could lead to injury such as biking without a helmet or gardening without sturdy shoes and protective gloves should be avoided. Patients should also switch from blades to electric razors, unwaxed to waxed floss, and they should use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Extra care should be taken when using knives or scissors. Some blood thinners, but not all, cannot be taken with certain foods that could interfere with them, so patients should talk to their doctor about the need for potential diet changes.
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