A year after 2 stents I have been told I will be on clopidogrel and aspirin for life.Apparently the foreign bodies I had put in could cause clotting and so strokes or heart attacks without those drugs.
I had thought users on this site had come off clopidogrel after a year.... I'm disappointed I suppose. Are any of you on these drugs for life please?
If I were in your position, I would ask why it is thought that your stents present a greater risk than those in other people. You are owed an explanation.
As you say, Clopidogrel is usually stopped after one year. I have a higher than normal Homocysteine level which puts me at higher risk of having blood clots, but I was taken off Clopidogrel.
Thankyou, I thought it may be that my stents are in my renal arteries but I shall definitely seek an explanation.
I have been on clopidogrel and aspirin for about 8 years and I am 81 with no problems. Be grateful for small mercies and trust you cardiologist.
I'm 79, and have also been on Clopidrogel (in place of aspirin) for approximately 8 years. As far as I'm aware, this will be for life but, as I have had absolutely no problems with it, I'm quite happy. I was already on it when I got taken in for stenting - then, halfway through the procedure, they decided not to go ahead with stents. I never really understood why the change but, bizarrely perhaps, the 'rodding out' of the exploratory procedure seemed to have cleared out some gunge, and I've had very little cardio issue since. Try not to worry about this, Parsley56 - maybe someone can explain properly the bit about stents as foreign bodies, but It looks like quite a few of us are on Clopidrogel for life, with no problems.
my husband was on Clop for 12 months after stenting. Five years later he had to be restented and from then on it’s Clop and aspirin for life.
NICE guidance is that it depends on individual circumstances and the consultant concerned.
Yes, it seems I'm in that category...thankyou.
My husband had his second stent last year.He has a strong family history of heart disease, he has now been prescribed clopidogrel for life.
Thankyou for these replies. It's reassuring actually to hear that other stories are similar.
BUT, as said by someone previously---ask your cardiologist why. You are owed an explanation and an understanding if for some reason you are at greater risk. If your cardiologist does not have a clear reason---that, for me, would be very revealing. You are the pilot for your health.
You might have more joy if you post on the Kidney forum? Being on these medications is better than having a stroke or other cardio event? Most people on here will be on a blood thinner of some description, for life.
I can't find a kidney forum, is there one? That would definitely be helpful, thankyou.
Thankyou! Very much appreciated!
Thanks, that's really helpful, my Son & Nephew have kidney disease.
I've been 2 blood thinners since 2011, when I had to go off them to have knee replacement I had another heart attack. Everyone is different and you just have to go with what they say. All the best. Take care. Moni
That is very helpful, I realise it's for my benefit and I need to just accept it. Tgankyou
I'm on Xarelto 20mg for life since the December of 2017 after I had blood clots that travelled to the lungs that started in the legs and I take the medication and go out and live my life!
That's a powerful medication. Check if you cant change to Eliquis which carries a lower risk of bleeding.
Eliquis/Apixaban and Clopidogrel/Plavix have different actions and are used for different conditions. Eliquis can still cause bleeding but comes with less risk than warfarin.
Absolutely! Good attitude!
Many people are on clopidogrel for life for several reasons. It is not something to be particularly concerned about, I would have thought, especially as its purpose is lifesaving. If you need surgery in the future you will be given advice as to whether to stop it temporarily, but in most cases surgeons work with it quite happily.
I was told to stop clopidogrel after a year , but carry on the aspirin for life . I think that’s the norm ?
I suffered a stroke 20 months ago,immediately after I was prescribed clopidogrel and aspirin, after one month I was told to stop taking aspirin but I will be on clopidogrel for the rest of my life.
depending on how our heart disease has developed, yes we can be on them for life , all I will say keep busy and listen to what our bodies are telling us . And hopefully keep the side effects at bay . 👀🧘♀️
Badger
Yes! Keep going! Thankyou.
You will stay on them probably for life because of your age!!! I was on them for af which haven't got but told to stay on them to help prevent strokes because I'm over 65!!
I'm sure it's not age. I'm 76, heart attack 6 years ago. I actually asked to stay on clopi rather than aspirin because aspirin played havoc with my stomach but was told no..
I’m a little older than you (77) and I’m on eight drugs ‘for life’. This includes a blood thinner, Apixaban. The choice for me is simple, take the drugs and remain stable or, die soon. Those are your options, my friend.
I was told Asprin forever but to stop Clopidogrel after a year. Forgot and got told off
Andrew you shouldn't have been told off, cop out as they/tabs should not have been still on your prescription! So be kind to yourself.
Thanks I had a medication review with the GP and they didn't say anything. I had to go back to the cardiologist for some advice about sinus op, and he said should Jane come off them
The DAPT Score (Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Score) is a tool used to help determine whether a patient would benefit from extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond the standard 12 months after receiving a coronary stent. It assesses the risk of ischemic events (like heart attack and stroke) versus the risk of major bleeding.
How to Calculate the DAPT Score
Each patient is given points based on their characteristics. A score of 2 or higher suggests that extended DAPT (beyond 12 months) may reduce ischemic risk more than it increases bleeding risk.
Scoring Criteria:
Factor Points
Age ≥75 years -2
Age 65-74 years -1
Diabetes +1
Current smoking +1
Prior heart attack (before the stent procedure) +1
Prior PCI or prior myocardial infarction (before the current one) +1
Stent type: Small stent size (≤3.0 mm) +1
Stent in a vein graft (bypass graft) +2
Prior heart attack at presentation +1
Interpreting the Score:
• Score 2 or higher → Extended DAPT may be beneficial (reduced heart attack/stroke risk outweighs bleeding risk).
• Score below 2 → Standard 12-month DAPT is enough, as bleeding risk outweighs ischemic benefits.
thanks for that ,very interesting 👍
It certainly is interesting, thankyou so much. I see that my stents were small, so I fit that criteria.
Hi Following my heart attack some five years ago, and subsequent events, I am on warfarin and clopidogrel for life. I also have an ICD and 3 stents. Unfortunately I have a very low EF due to the damage to my left ventricle. This has led to blood settling and clotting at the lower part of my left ventricle.
There is always a good reason for lifelong medication, I can finally understand this now.
Hi,I was on Aspirin for six months, but clopidogrel for life, to keep blood thinner, so hopefully prevent a stroke or heart attack.
I am on clopidogrel for life after having three stents i had to stop the aspirin as it caused me problems
I’ve been on clopidogrel since 2005 plus aspirin I’ve antiphospho lipid syndrome which means I clot easily so it safe guards me from getting clots perhaps your blood is not a viscous so maybe that’s the reason I’ve accumulated 8 stents in 20 years & despite having drug eluted stents it’s a safety net for many heart patients just make sure your aspirin or blood thinners are enteric coated so it doesn’t cause stomach issues .. I’m on lansopermol .
I’m on Edoxoban for life for AF and tbh grateful even if it means I can’t take anti inflammatory drugs for severe osteoarthritis. Disappointed yes but I don’t want a stroke to add to my list of ailments.
I’ve come off statins recently, another lifer as they raised my blood sugar. Trying to find one that doesn’t if anyone knows of one? So far tried Atorvastatin and Simvastatin. Taking them for mild furring in artery, normal cholesterol levels so seems heavy price to pay to become a diabetic…
Yes, I had problems with several statins too…and went without a med for cholesterol. When I received my stent, the surgeon put me on Repatha, an injectable. It has been marvelous for me. Maybe it would help you too?
Thanks so much for sharing this CarolingTeacher. Did you need a stent because you hadn’t been on cholesterol meds? This is what my family are threatening me with 🙈 I’ll request this from my GP and see what happens. 🙏
That’s a good question, Kalbim65. I’m not sure what caused the blockage. I do have some family history of atherosclerosis. Also, I do remember the surgeon was alarmed that I wasn’t on something for lowering cholesterol—and the fact that my cardiologist hadn’t tried something else when I couldn’t take the statins. My LDL cholesterol dropped 2/3, and my total cholesterol and HDL ratio levels dropped to nearly half of what they had been a month after my stent (and starting Repatha). I hope your GP says yes!🫶
How often do you have the repatha Caroling? And who administers it? This has been a revelation!
Wow that’s great that your cholesterol levels dropped so much. I think Repatha may also bring on diabetes for me but thank you so much for the suggestion. I’ll discuss with my GP. 🙏
I’ve been on aspirin for 4 years now after bypass. I wouldn’t stop them. Just recently I had questionable migraines . I take them with porridge last thing at night. I would feel nervous without them
I thought that I was the only late night porridge eater!
I was on Ticagrelor (similar to Clopidogrel) for 12 months after the stent and I’m remaining on the standard dose of Aspirin for life.
Stopped after a year then put on 2.5mg rivaroxaban
this can also depend on the cardiologist . My moms cardiologist prefers to discontinue aspirin after 1 year and stay on clopidogrel for life . His opinion is that aspirin was used because it was low cost and readily available so for most people, that was more accessible . Clopidogrel is now more affordable, and while aspirin is a good option , his opinion is that clopidogrel provides more protection . I am due to discontinue clopidogrel in May , and I think I would prefer to discontinue aspirin instead . Not sure how that conversation will go .
Just confirming the common experience of taking Clopidogrel for just one year- I had 2 stents inserted in 2014 subsequent to a cardiac MRI; was taken off Clopidogrel in 2015 but continue to take low dose aspirin together with Bisoprolol 2.5mg.Lots of good advice and information in the replies to your query here. My strong advice is, try to focus on taking as much regular exercise as you possibly can - it's an amazingly good" medicine"
I’m on aspirin for life. I don’t actually see the cardio who prescribed it after my HA 5 (?) years ago. When I asked why I had to take atorvastatin (for example) he said ‘your arteries are wide open now and we want them to stay that way. Fine but as I don’t see him any more, how am I to know? He referred me to a cardiologist who was closer to where I live, but he discharged me. I find it quite frightening not to have a cardiologist. I’m 80. I should think yearly check-ups would be standard??
I was 48yo when my heart problem was diagnosed. I had two stents followed by a CABG. I was discharged from the cardiologist almost immediately after my op. I’ve continued with angina though and still don’t get any follow-ups, unless I push for them.
The NHS approach seems to be “we’ve sorted you, now go away - come back if you have problems”. I always felt that was shortsighted and reactive but it won’t change in the current climate.
If you have concerns or problems, push for any care yourself. Fight for it - they won’t help unless you do! Sad state of affairs, but it is the way with our nhs now. The focus is purely on mental health and “incomers”.
Thankyou, I appreciate your reply.
I had a CABG and 2 stents fitted eight years ago. The cardiologist told me at the time that I’d be on Clopidogrel for life rather than aspirin as it is a more effective blood thinner. I haven’t really done any research about it but I seem to have been fine through to today. I’d prefer to be on no tablets, as I’m sure we all would, but if I had to take any, personally the only two I’d take would be the Clopidogrel and the statin.
If you’re unhappy, speak to the cardiac nurses or your pharmacist - in my opinion they seem to know more than the cardiologists…(unless you’ve got a good one!)
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
My husband was on clopidogrel and Apixaban after a cardiac arrest and having an ICD implant , he came off clopidogrel after year but has stayed on Apixaban , I think apixaban will be for life.They also said he had to have blood thinners because of the ICD implant .
I was originally told I would be on Clopidogrel for a year but that has probably changed as I am still on it. My problem has always been I clot quite easily. Thad thrombophlebitis in my 20s in both legs and when I was able to donate blood I clotted the needles more than once. I was told to take aspirin the day before and the morning some time before going in to donate. Guess it depends on a lot of different factors.
I was on Clopi for 12 years having been told I'll be on them for life. But a year ago after discussions between my GP and heart consultant I was told I could stop them.I had no issues taking them except for excessive bleeding when I scratched myself.
No withdrawals on stopping.
On them for life and I don't have a stent. Diabetes Nurse took me off Clop at last review, then called to say she had put me back on them as there was a letter from my Cardio Consultant saying I should be on both Aspirin and Clop for life. Just another 2 tablets to take. Up to 19 now per day (but I bet there are plenty of people on more than that).
Yes I can understand you are worried. I thought the stents that was put in your case were impregnated with aniticoagulants and both aspirin and clopidogrel were noit necessary for the rest of your life. I would check with the cardiollogist. Sorry I have not been more helpful. Regards.
I was started on them as well! But later trouble put a stop on them and got Apixaban instead.
I was on Clopidogrel and aspirin post HA, but came off the Clopidogrel after 6 months. Unfortunately 6 months later had a TIA so got put back onto the Clopidogrel (now for life) and taken off the aspirin. I’m personally at peace popping pills every day. It’s become part of my routine and touch wood I suffer no side effects.
Wishing you all the best.
Thankyou, there have been lots of helpful points made on this thread.
I had a STEMI and five stents fitted in May 2024. Was put on Clopidogrel and Aspirin, but the Asprin has caused havoc with my stomach (Hiatus Hernia). My cardiologist has said I can come off one of the blood thinners after twelve months - so can stop the Aspirin and will stay on the Clopidogrel for life.
My surgeon said pre-op that I would be on aspirin for life. But two years on his team told me that the op fixed everything and to stop the aspirin. Both sides made sense but I just follow the updated instructions (once evidenced in writing). Six months on and feel fine, just as I did with the aspirin.
Blood thinners
Ibuprofen gel on blood thinners 
Blood thinners
Anaemia and blood thinners and aspirin 
