stopping blood thinners after a year

[Mke41a]

hi all, I’m coming up to the time where I will stop taking my blood thinners, on the one hand that’s good news for me however I’m getting a little apprehensive about it suddenly stopping. If I’ve need it for the first year it seems pretty dramatic to no longer need it … anyone have similar thoughts?

[HenryTudor]

I went on to a lower dose for a further two years after a telephone consultation with my cardiologist.

[Taviterry]

Guess it depends on your particular condition. I suspect that medical professionals err on the side of caution when prescribing. I'm having a review with an NHS cardiologist next week 16 months after my new valve was fitted, and shall ask him about the need to continue with anti-coagulants. I've had a number of blood tests this year, the last being in early October, and I think that a couple of these may give the cardiologist some info. As ever, to save him/her wading through my wadge of medical records, I'll be emailing a summary in advance - and taking along a print out in case the email doesn't find its way to them. (This also saves me explaining my condition for the seventh or eighth time this year.)

[DWizza]

Reminds me of your friend 🤦🏼

Poster

[Mke41a]

uh?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

In the UK it seems to be common practice that, after some heart 'events', but especially a heart attack, you are prescribed two anticoagulants or antiplatelets and then drop one after 12 months but continue with the other for life. In my case I was on Clopidogrel for 12 months but I continue with low dose aspirin. I suggest you check your care plan which should be on your discharge notes at least, to confirm what is intended for you, and if you are still concerned arrange to speak with your GP.

[mjames1]

What blood thinners are you on and why were you taking them?

Jim

[Mke41a]

hi Jim, I’m on clopidogril for stents 11 months (NSTEMI)

[aardvark68]

It’s normal practice for them to prescribe two different blood thinners immediately after a heart attack or stents- usually stopping one of them after a year by which time the stent has settled in and they are no longer necessary.

Most of us with stents then remain on low dose aspirin, because it also prevents platelets from clumping together, for life.

[Qualipop]

It depends why you were given it. It's normal to take it for 12 months after a heart attack then just stop. No ill effects stopping except the bruising is less. I still take the aspirin