Treatment with a Blood Thinner
In this section, we will explore:
- What are blood thinners?
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and the
risk of stroke - Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
and pulmonary embolism (PE)
and their risks
Understanding
Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are often prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem, who are at high risk of blood clots. The name blood thinner can be misunderstood, as blood thinners don’t actually “thin” your blood. In fact, blood thinners work by lowering the chances of blood clots forming in your body.
There are two different types of blood thinners:
Anticoagulants lessen coagulation, or the process by which your blood clots. PRADAXA and warfarin fall into this category.
Antiplatelets prevent blood cell fragments (platelets) from sticking to the walls of your blood vessels and each other.
What’s the difference between warfarin and newer anticoagulants like PRADAXA?
compares
About AFib & Risk of Stroke
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It occurs when one or both of the upper chambers of the heart – called the atria – don’t beat the way they should.
An irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool in the left atrium, where a blood clot can form. If that clot breaks away, it can travel to the brain, where it can cause a type of stroke called an ischemic (is-KEE-mic) stroke.
Symptoms of AFib
There aren’t always symptoms with AFib, and you may be unaware of your condition until a doctor discovers it during a physical exam.
But when there are symptoms, they can include:
- palpitations
- weakness
- fatigue
- reduced ability to exercise
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- confusion
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
AFib can put you at 5x greater risk of a stroke
the risk factors for
developing AFib
The Signs of a Stroke
If you or your loved one has AFib, you’ll need to know the signs of stroke. By using the simple acronym F.A.S.T., you’ll be able to quickly recognize if your loved one may be suffering a stroke. That’s important because it could be a situation where seconds count.
Take a few minutes to commit this acronym to memory:
It’s important to work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment plan to help reduce your risk of stroke. Our Doctor Discussion Guide can help you ask the right questions to assist your doctor in deciding if PRADAXA is right for you.
FAST FACTS ABOUT AFIB & STROKES
- AFib affects more than 2 million people in the United States
- The odds of developing AFib increase with age
- It’s estimated that AFib is the most common type of irregular heartbeat in people over the age of 65
- Women with AFib face a 260% greater risk of stroke than men with AFib
- Every year in this country, about 156,000 people have AFib-related strokes
- AFib causes up to 1 in every 5 strokes
- Some people with AFib may have no symptoms
Common Myths About AFib
PRADAXA reduces the risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
- The most important way to reduce your risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib is by reducing the chance of blood clots forming
- In a clinical trial, PRADAXA was proven superior to warfarin at reducing risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
- Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions
Start the conversation with your doctor about helping to reduce the risk of stroke with PRADAXA today.
Discussion Guide
About DVT and PE
Doctors often refer to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) as a single condition known as VTE, which stands for venous thromboembolism. DVT and PE affect about 900,000 people in the United States every year, and are very serious conditions. In fact, PE is a medical emergency and can be fatal, but there are treatment options available and steps you can take to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT is a condition in which one or more blood clots form in one or more of the deep veins in your body. These clots form most often in the large veins of your legs or thighs.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Pulmonary means “pertaining to the lungs,” and embolism refers to a clot that forms in one part of the body and travels through the blood stream to another part of the body.
PE is a condition in which one or more of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs become blocked. In most cases, this blockage is caused by blood clots that form in the legs due to DVT and then travel to the lungs.
DVT & PE: Do you know
the symptoms?
The symptoms of DVT
In about half of all cases, DVT occurs without any symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include:
- pain or swelling in the affected
leg or thigh - skin of the affected area is
warm to the touch - change in skin color of the
affected area, such as redness
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
The symptoms of PE
The symptoms of PE are serious and require immediate medical attention, as PE can be fatal. These symptoms include:
- unexplained shortness of breath
- chest pain that worsens when you
cough or breathe deeply - coughing up blood
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- rapid pulse
- sweating
Call 9-1-1 or seek emergency medical attention immediately if you develop signs or symptoms of PE.
FAST FACTS ABOUT DVT/PE
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) pose a serious risk to your health
- When a blood clot enters your lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism
- DVT can be life threatening, especially if it leads to a PE
- DVT/PE cause about 300,000 deaths each year in the United States
- Even if DVT doesn’t lead to PE, nearly half of all people with DVT can develop a lasting complication called post-thrombotic syndrome that results in damage to the affected vein in the leg
- A history of PE increases the risk of high blood pressure in the lung arteries, called pulmonary hypertension
Common Myths About
DVT & PE
PRADAXA had higher rates of total bleeding vs. placebo (no treatment).
The goals of treating DVT and PE
The management of DVT and PE has two goals. One of these is treatment, which includes:
- Stopping the clots from growing
- Keeping the clots from breaking free, traveling to the lungs, and causing a PE
The other important goal of management is to reduce the risk of another DVT or PE.
Start the conversation with your doctor
- In clinical trials, PRADAXA was proven as effective as warfarin in the treatment of DVT and PE in patients who have been treated with an injectable blood thinner for 5 to 10 days, and in reduction of the risk of recurrence
- Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions
Start the conversation with your doctor about helping to treat DVT and PE and reducing the risk of recurrence with PRADAXA today.
Discussion Guide