Medication and bruising

[LesleyJ59]

Hi I'm Lesley, 57 years old and in January this year I spent a couple of days in hospital after a suspected small heart attack. I had an angiogram which revealed that my arteries were fine so did not need a stent. I'm still waiting to find out what exactly is wrong - latest is the result of an MRI scan that was done about a month ago. Meanwhile I've recovered well but am on a load of medication - Brilique, Aspirin, Atorvastatin, Ramipril and Amlodipine. After some initial slight constipation and palpitations I've settled into the meds and feel fine.

The only thing I notice apart from any bleeding taking longer to stop is that I bruise very easily. I can knock myself quite lightly and it will come up in a nasty lump and bruise. Often I can't even remember the event that caused it. I can understand why, as I'm on antiplatelets, but wonder if I should be concerned about falling or being involved in an accident. Am I at higher risk of internal bleeding and at what point or in what case should I seek out medical help? Any information gratefully received, thankyou.

[JakJenLew]

When you say Brilique do you mean ticagrelor as that is a dual antiplatelet and you end up getting bruises and you have to be careful if you cut yourself just make sure you take care

[LesleyJ59 in reply to JakJenLew]

Yes that's right. I'm told that I'll probably be on it for life. I must be clumsy, I'm always knocking myself. What do you mean by dual please?

[JakJenLew in reply to LesleyJ59]

I'm on ticagrelor I've had 3 heart attacks ... Ticagrelor is dual antiplatelet where as clopidogrel is a single antiplatelet ... and with taking aspirin and ticagrelor you bruise very easily

[LesleyJ59]

Thanks for that. I'm hoping after a clearer diagnosis that I can come off some of the meds. Perhaps I might be able to take clopidogrel instead. Next time I get a bad bruise I will go to my GP.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi,

I'm on clopigogrel as well alas bruise easily with that too. Sometimes not even knowing what I've bumped

[Caddy61]

Hi,

I have been on meds now for five weeks after y heart attack and found after two weeks that I too bruise very easily, I don't even have to knock myself hard, so much so that half the time I do not know I have until the bruising appears. My wife is worried that it looks like she is beating me up lol

[Maryam_BHF]

Hi Lesley, thanks for sharing your story and sorry to hear about the bruising.

It's not uncommon for people on dual antiplatelet therapy (two different types of anti platelet medications) to experience nuisance bleeding (including bruising). Usually, dual antiplatelet therapy only continues for 12 to 18 months. Patients then continue with just the aspirin but it is worth chatting with your doctor about the bruising and asking how long you will be expected to continue on both. You could also discuss any remaining concerns that you have.

Best wishes

Maryam

[LesleyJ59 in reply to Maryam_BHF]

Thankyou Maryam, that's very reassuring. I had no health problems before and it's a bit of a blow to find yourself on a ton of prescription medication. If it wasn't for the fitness band I wear that prompts me when to take the pills, I might very well forget.

[Lolalacey in reply to Maryam_BHF]

Hi I'm on that tablet as well as aspirin and I feel so cold an recently very itchy all over could that be a side effect

[LesleyJ59 in reply to Lolalacey]

Hi Lola - I don't have problems with feeling cold as I'm menopausal. Itching can be a problem, though I had put that down to my time of life, it had not occurred to me that it was the pills.

[Gillyg]

Hi Lesley, sorry to hear your concerns regarding your medication. Could I ask why do they think you had a heart attack even though your arteries are clear. Was it because of the blood test they give you showing a certain result that implies you are having a heart attack. Can't remember what it is called. The same happened to me and in the end the hospital dr implied it was t a heart attack but my cardiologist said it was and suggested it was microvascular angina I had. Which is hard to diagnose. I take clopodigrel but because of small stokes I have had. I bleed very easy. Good luck to you.

[LesleyJ59 in reply to Gillyg]

Hi Gilly. There's an enzyme that's released when the heart is damaged, can't remember what it's called, but the normal level is around 20, and mine was over 200. I have been told there is some damage to a small part of the heart muscle. When I was waiting to be discharged the ward nurse remarked 'They're trying to find something wrong with you' which at the time I thought hilarious - but almost 6 months later they have still not come to a firm diagnosis. I feel fine otherwise and exercise much more - I do a lot of walking. I actually teach Tai Chi which is wonderful exercise but does not raise your heart rate sufficiently to be classed as a Cardiac workout.

[Gillyg]

Hi Lesley, we sound very similar that is the same blood test I can't remember what it was but on the second test it had gone up and that was a marker for a heart attack. I have heard it can be difficult for a woman due to us having different symptoms than normal. Reading up about the microvascular angina it sounds like that. It is not so damaging but can be if left untreated. I hope you keep well and keep up the exercise. I get very short of breath but have bought myself a electric bike which helps me get exercise. Good luck to you. My mother and 2 brothers all died under 60 from heart problems and with my Lupus I am at higher risk again. 👍 positivity is such an important mind set. X

[naedoot]

I had a heart attack in may 2015. And found I started getting bruises appearing out of no where. I have since stopped one of my tablets and since then I haven't really had any bruises since.

[skid112 Heart Star]

It's troponin I believe. The bruising easily is the dual platelets you will be on. Clopidogrel and aspirin for me. It seems a new bruise a day and none of which I can explain which is fun.

[anke123]

Hi, I was on dual anti platelets too and did bruise much more than before. Like you often not knowing what I had done. After 12 months I went to just one anti platelet medication and I do not bruise as easy now.

[Lolalacey]

Hi I'm same as you mild heart attack arterys fine had Mir it's either myocarditis or embolism as they both look similar . I'm on medication pretty much same as yours side effects I'm copying with apart from feeling so cold and itchy most of the time

[shellyshock]

Hi im michelle i had a heartattack it was brought on by shock my arteries was all clear but they said i had mild coronary heart disease im on all meds nw and i too bruise easy.

[shellyshock]

How long does it take to get bk to normal.?

[LesleyJ59]

As long as you are taking the antiplatelet pills, you will still bruise easily. The good news is that you may be taken off some of them after 12 months.

[Blu6]

Hi, I am 52 and just had 2 heart stents put in. I am on brilinta and a aspirin. I have just started to notice bruising on my arms. Kind of scary. Wondering how do we know if we have internal bleeding from these medications? Thanks for any advise.

[ClaireRob]

Did anyone mention SCAD to you?

[LesleyJ59 in reply to ClaireRob]

Hi, ClaireRob, no that was not mentioned as far as I can remember. In the end it was thought to be caused by a blood clot. Thankyou for bringing it to my attention.