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What Causes Headaches During Dual Antiplatelet Therapy?
Question: Hello, i had a stent put in last week on Monday 12/19 for an artery that was 90% blocked. I am now no plavix 75 mg and aspirin 81 mg daily. I now have headaches, feel hot , palpitations and ringing in the ears. Are these normal side-effects from the DAPT therapy? Will they go away or get worse?
Brief Answer:
No they are not
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
After angioplasty we continue dual antiplatelet therapy for a year and than stop one of them(plavix) & continue on Aspirin lifelong. This is to prevent blockage in the stent.
Some symptoms you are telling about can occur after angioplasty (like occasional palpitations, hot flushes) but ringing in ear does not occur after that.
This is a symptom of ENT disorder. So its better to consult a ENT specialist for the same. Also tell me what is your current heart rate range.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
No they are not
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
After angioplasty we continue dual antiplatelet therapy for a year and than stop one of them(plavix) & continue on Aspirin lifelong. This is to prevent blockage in the stent.
Some symptoms you are telling about can occur after angioplasty (like occasional palpitations, hot flushes) but ringing in ear does not occur after that.
This is a symptom of ENT disorder. So its better to consult a ENT specialist for the same. Also tell me what is your current heart rate range.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Hello Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for responding and clarifying the symptoms for me. How about the headache? I have never suffered from headaches before and now they now happen almost daily. Is this a side effect of plavix - aspirin? I just took my bp and it is 120/76 and the hart rate is 59.
Also when I bend down I tend to feel my head get heavy like the blood rushing to my head. I did not feel this before. Is this because of the blood thinner effect?
thank you
Thank you for responding and clarifying the symptoms for me. How about the headache? I have never suffered from headaches before and now they now happen almost daily. Is this a side effect of plavix - aspirin? I just took my bp and it is 120/76 and the hart rate is 59.
Also when I bend down I tend to feel my head get heavy like the blood rushing to my head. I did not feel this before. Is this because of the blood thinner effect?
thank you
Brief Answer:
Its not because of your blood thinners
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pleasure seeing you again.
Antiplatelet agents does not cause headache. Its only side effect is risk of bleeding which can occur in any part of body which is also not very common.
Headache due to change of position is surely not because of your antiplatelet therapy. It can occur because of change in bp with change in position (so check your bp on lying down & than suddenly stand & check the bp again).
This cause in your condition looks rare & more common cause is again ENT causes (their is a apparatus called vestibule in ear which keeps a balance of body, sometimes its dysfunction can cause such symptoms - ENT guy will tell you better).
So it looks all ok from cardiac side, medicines are very good, your vitals are excellent. So go meet a ENT & i know you will be absolutely fine in no time.
Wishing you a very good health.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Its not because of your blood thinners
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pleasure seeing you again.
Antiplatelet agents does not cause headache. Its only side effect is risk of bleeding which can occur in any part of body which is also not very common.
Headache due to change of position is surely not because of your antiplatelet therapy. It can occur because of change in bp with change in position (so check your bp on lying down & than suddenly stand & check the bp again).
This cause in your condition looks rare & more common cause is again ENT causes (their is a apparatus called vestibule in ear which keeps a balance of body, sometimes its dysfunction can cause such symptoms - ENT guy will tell you better).
So it looks all ok from cardiac side, medicines are very good, your vitals are excellent. So go meet a ENT & i know you will be absolutely fine in no time.
Wishing you a very good health.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
thank you again. I will do as you suggest and consult an ENT.
I have one last question. I know it is a bit premature, but I am worried about the rebound effect when it comes time to quit the Plavix. I have read so many stories that you are likely to die from a heart attack or stroke if you just stop taking Plavix within the first 90 days called the rebound effect. It seems like platelets at this point are more aggresive and the possibility of clots forming is greatly increased. When the time comes do I need to come off gradually? Am I stuck perhaps taking the Plavix for life too so as to prevent the rebound effect?
I have one last question. I know it is a bit premature, but I am worried about the rebound effect when it comes time to quit the Plavix. I have read so many stories that you are likely to die from a heart attack or stroke if you just stop taking Plavix within the first 90 days called the rebound effect. It seems like platelets at this point are more aggresive and the possibility of clots forming is greatly increased. When the time comes do I need to come off gradually? Am I stuck perhaps taking the Plavix for life too so as to prevent the rebound effect?
Brief Answer:
Please see detailed answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Their is no rebound effect of antiplatelet agents.
What happens is that the stent we put is a foreign body to us. So their is very high chances of clot formation on the stent because our platelets (which form clot) tend to aggregate around it. So we give dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent that.
After 1 year this stent becomes a part of our body as a part of our blood vessel (endothelium) grow over it & then chances of clot formation is very low.
Than we stop the second antiplatelet (usually palvix) safely because giving of 2 antiplatelet agents increases the risk of bleeding.
So continue both for a year & don't worry. Eat health food, do regular exercise, avoid smoking & alcohol.
Wishing you a healthy & successful life.
If you need any help from me, I'll always be available.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Please see detailed answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Their is no rebound effect of antiplatelet agents.
What happens is that the stent we put is a foreign body to us. So their is very high chances of clot formation on the stent because our platelets (which form clot) tend to aggregate around it. So we give dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent that.
After 1 year this stent becomes a part of our body as a part of our blood vessel (endothelium) grow over it & then chances of clot formation is very low.
Than we stop the second antiplatelet (usually palvix) safely because giving of 2 antiplatelet agents increases the risk of bleeding.
So continue both for a year & don't worry. Eat health food, do regular exercise, avoid smoking & alcohol.
Wishing you a healthy & successful life.
If you need any help from me, I'll always be available.
Regards
Dr Sameer Maheshwari
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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