I'm likely to need warfarin for life after my upcoming heart surgery. I'm wondering if I should wear a medical bracelet or necklace once I start taking warfarin, so paramedics know I'm on a blood thinner if I'm ever in an accident.
Do others wear such things? If so, how obvious does it need to be? I can see lots of pretty examples on Etsy, but I'm not sure if something dainty and discreet would do the job if it came to it
I am on a cocktail of meds including aspirin but don't bother with a bracelet or similar. But if you are undecided you could discuss with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse and get a professional opinion on whether it is advisable
hi there, its a great question and I think the answer is very much an individual choice. I am 2 years post op and have a mechanical valve so am on warfarin. I wear my bracelet all the time, infact I have had 2 previously which werent so pretty. The one I have is a heart shaped and has the medical logo on one side and on the reverse my name and warfarin. It gives me peace of mind and some confidence. I also carry my yellow card in my purse. You could buy a cheap one and see how it makes you feel. Good luck.
Hello 
How do you feel about it do you think it would make you feel better to wear one more confident so many do have one and they can be a good thing as you say if you had an accident they would hopefully notice and see it straight away
It is down to the individual how they feel so I would do what you feel best with
There are quite a few you can get and yes Esty have a good choice but if you put Medical bracelet /necklace in google lots will come up to choose from if you decide to get one
Let us know how you get on x
Hi, I've never felt the need to wear a medical bracelet or the likes myself, but I know people who do and they've found them useful. My one exception is actually Warfarin, where I carry a card with my details. The card is the size of a credit card so fits nicely into a wallet.
When you're discharged from hospital you'll be given an Anticolagulant pack, which includes the card, so it's another option thats worth having and one generally recommended by the anticolag (warfarin) clinic.
Wouldn’t leave the house without mine, if you collapse it will save the medics giving you medicine that may interfere with the medication your on and therefore cause further problems.
Hi,
I bought a silver one shortly after surgery last year to replace my mitral valve. It states that I’m on Warfarin, No M.R.I ( due to mechanical valve and Loop Recorder) and my Husband’s name & contact no.
When I resumed driving again (after 3 months) - it just gave me some confidence and peace of mind, when out and about by myself. However, now I’m a year post op, it’s become very scratched and I don’t wear it as much. I think any self respecting medic, wld be able to hear me ticking, see my scar and probably fill in the gaps!
Why no MRI? There are no problems with mechanical valves.
I was advised ‘No’ to an M.R.I. by one of the Cardiac Nursing Staff following my O.H.S. Maybe it depends which mechanical valve is fitted? I know many of them are ‘M.R.I conditional’. Not sure personally, that I’d be brave enough to test the compatibility out myself!
I've actually had one. The metals used are non-magnetic so pose no danger.
I always carry a medical card. I keep it with my pensioner's bus pass. If I leave the house I will need to use public transport. So should always remember
Also on anticoagulants and other meds, I always have my mobile phone with me which has my medical information and can be accessed without unlocking.
That sounds good - accessing information on your mobile without unlocking. I didn’t know you could do that
Hi when you go to your unlock screen on your phone the emergency button bottom left is not just for calling emergency services you can put details of your medical conditions medication and details of you next of kin and they can be accessed by emergency services (or anyone for that matter) if you're not sure how to do it there are some YouTube videos that take you through the process. For years I thought that button was just for calling emergency services.
Thank you …but oops, I’ve just tried mine and the Police answered! 😳Too embarrassed to speak, I switched off. I have an iPhone
I can now see the you tube stuff and will try again later. How stupid I was to do that without checking YT first. 🤣 I have several conditions, lots of medications and allergies so this facility could be very useful. Thanks again
hi, I am on 10mg Apixaban a day and wear a med alert bracelet with these details on plus my next of kin’s mobile number. There are lots of different types out there to purchase, mine is a pretty silver bracelet with info on a silver heart says med alert one side and medication and contact details on the other.
Wrist bracelet, you can't relay your information if you collapse and a card in your wallet might not be found however go to information is easily received.
Hi Aromariot,When I left hospital after having a mechanical aortic valve fitted I was given a card with my basic medical details on and told to carry it always. This was because of being on warfarin. It's made of card rather than plastic and lives in my wallet. I don't carry my wallet when I'm out running, or swimming, and if I constantly took the card in and out of my wallet it would have disintegrated by now.
I wear a leather wrist band with a small metal plate on it with my basic info including target INR and mechanical valve. If anything were to happen medics will see that pretty quickly, it's also got the wee medical info sign on it. I don't imagine the first thing they do is search for a wallet and contents.
Take care
Andy
Whilst not on warfarin all my medical details are in my phone. I’ve been told it is one of the go to things for paramedics nowadays.
thanks everyone for your input, it sounds like a bracelet is the more common choice, which I guess might be more visible to a passerby or medic taking a pulse. I’ll look into getting one made after my op
Hi aromarlot. Because I often walk my dogs in very isolated places where there are few people, I got a bracelet with my ICE details on it and my NHS number. It's like a rubber band you get at festivals but with a clasp. I do need to update the details on it. It didn't cost much and I only wear it if I'm on my own. My thinking was I might trip and hurt myself or lose my mobile and I wouldn't remember my families mobile number - no one has a land line now. I think if it's on your wrist it's easy to spot. It's also easy to read. I have had to ring dog owners if I have found a loose dog and trying to read a small metal disc is tricky - I usually take a photo and enlarge it
sorry to butt in on your post but I see medical cards mentioned. I am on Clopidogrel, atrovastatin, Entresto, bisoprolol, Spironolactone and Lanzoprozole but have never been told to carry a card or anything. I have written the list to carry with me and the list is on my medical details on my phone but do I need an ‘official’ card?
No. This is only the norm if you are on warfarin.
Even though Clopidogrel is also a blood thinner?
Warfarin works differently but you can still carry a card for your own peace of mind and I probably would. On warfarin you are given a card but for others you maybe need to ask for one or buy one.
Hello, I am on Apixaban, never go out without my bracelet on, mine is an expandable one, but as others have said Google it there are lots of them to choose from. My best wishes.
I wear a SOS Talisman. Happier knowing all my meds, contact details and conditions are always with me. I have the silver bracelet version. As a work place First Aider too it would be something I would look for. I managed to get mine on EBay at a very good price. It was pre loved and tarnished but with some patience, a Dremel (slow speed) and silver polish, it came up new.
You will receive a card ( I had mine laminated) with the serial number of the valve, surgeons name and date of surgery and informing the reader you are on warfarin. I assume you are having valve replacement?
Thanks Mitchum, yes I'm likely to need a mitral valve replacement. It's just I don't always carry my wallet with me these days (pay for everything with my phone), so I don't know how useful a card would be. Perhaps I'll put it into a clear phone case
I wasn’t given a card - and had my surgery a year ago. Was this issued by the hospital? Wld be useful to carry.
I was given it on discharge with other "bumph" and told to carry it everywhere. A quick call to the hospital will sort it I would imagine. Best of luck!
Morning 👋
I wear a red bracelet showing I’m on Abixaban and carry a medical alert card.
It’s personal choice, however, if the paramedics in the uk are needed, fingers crossed, that won’t happen, they have access to your medical records so will see if you’re on an anticoagulant.
I was informed by my GP to wear one as it’s seen straight away, however, again it’s personal choice 🤗
Hi - I am on the cocktail of meds following my HA in July 2020. I always wear my medic-alert bracelet. Mine has my name, medical condition, my NHS number, emergency contact and my meds and doses. It is double sided. I am on my third one because I was taken off Ticagrelor last year, so had another made to delete that drug. Paramedics are trained to look for bracelets/necklaces, and recently getting on a BA flight to the USA as I was putting my ruck sack in the overhead bin, the cabin crew person standing nearby said she noticed my medic bracelet and was there something the crew should know about.
I do it was suggested by the nurse when I first took warfarin and I still have it now I’m on Edoxaban.
Mine doesn't leave my wrist and it makes me feel more comfortable that although mine is pretty, it also clearly displays the medical symbol and my medical condition. I also carry a medical card with my condition in my purse and also the information is on my phone and can be accessed via a locked screen. I feel much safer having 3 forms of back up incase one is missed in an emergency.
I had a bracelet but the charm kept being a nuisance so now always wear my necklace with the small pendent with my NHS number, A/Fib, and blood thinner on it, I would not put warfarin on because you might change to another blood thinner at a later date. Personally I think it important. Also carry my med card on me when I go out and there is a medical alert in my fridge door where I gather the ambulance men are used to looking.
I can't change from warfarin as I have a mechanical heart valve.
How interesting. How long have you had it and are you happy with it? My husband has a heart valve problem and will shortly be going in to have it sorted.
Hello Granny. I had my surgery 22 years ago when I was 54. There was a slight possibility of a repair but the surgeon said later that it had almost disintegrated and a new valve was installed. My body had eaten it away and excreted it. Weird. After recuperation and mastering my INR with warfarin I resumed life and live it as fully as possible! Don't be afraid of warfarin (it seems to have a bad press), once you've got the hang of using it and know how to "work" it it's a doddle.
The valve has given me many precious years and at 76 years old I still hope for many more! If your husband is over 65ish he will probably get an organic valve which will negate the need for warfarin but, if not, don't despair. If you have ANY specific questions don't hesitate to mail or PM me. Good luck.
I was put in 2 blood thinners after a stent so I bought a blood thinner medical bracelet. It’s been a year and nobody has ever looked for it or at it. They just dive right in to take blood, etc. I mentioned that problem to a paramedic caring for my mom and he said that in his emergency role, he always looks for those. His partner agreed. The reason is that those seriously ill patients can’t always speak for themselves. He thought that hospital personnel don’t usually look for it with the rest of us because we can speak up. So, I wear my bracelet just in case.
I’ve been on Warfarin many years and just carry the card I was given. I also have a pacemaker for which I carry another card. I also carry my yellow Warfarin book in my handbag too.
Since having a metal replacement aortic valve 15 years ago my husband has permanently worn a basic rubber wristband with the words “warfarin anticoagulant “. He now has another one with “Alert ICD fitted” following a cardiac arrest last year. Paramedics notice them very quickly.
I'm on a blood thinner called Apixaban for life and I wear a bracelet....bought it from Amazon. xx
I take anti-coagulant Edoxaban and I have a couple of medical bracelets. I got mine from Amazon.
medical alert bracelet 
Warfarin Medication and confused 
Medication or no medication 
To medicate or not to medicate, that is the question 🤔
