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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Blood In Stool While On Blood Thinners?

Mother in law had a stent placed on Monday. She seemed to be doing ok on Tuesday. Today they found blood in her stool and suspect it is because of the blood thinners. They took her off the thinner. They are now calling her terminal with only about 15% heart strength. Why take her off thinner and where is the blood coming from?
Wed, 28 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Dear. Bleeding might be due to taking blood thinner medications. If you have some kinds of heart or blood vessel disease, or if you have poor blood flow to your brain, your doctor may recommend that you take a blood thinner. Blood thinners reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing the formation of blood clots in your arteries and veins. You may also take a blood thinner if you have

1. An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation
2. Heart valve surgery
3. Congenital heart defects

There are two main types of blood thinners. Anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin), work on chemical reactions in your body to lengthen the time it takes to form a blood clot. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot.

Sometimes blood thinners might cause:

1. Bleeding gums
2. Bruises you can't explain
3. Dizziness
4. Heavier-than-normal periods
5. Red or dark brown urine or stools

Blood thinners will not allow platelets and other clotting factors to aggregate together and thus will increase the propensity to bleed.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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What Causes Blood In Stool While On Blood Thinners?

Hello Dear. Bleeding might be due to taking blood thinner medications. If you have some kinds of heart or blood vessel disease, or if you have poor blood flow to your brain, your doctor may recommend that you take a blood thinner. Blood thinners reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing the formation of blood clots in your arteries and veins. You may also take a blood thinner if you have 1. An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation 2. Heart valve surgery 3. Congenital heart defects There are two main types of blood thinners. Anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin), work on chemical reactions in your body to lengthen the time it takes to form a blood clot. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot. Sometimes blood thinners might cause: 1. Bleeding gums 2. Bruises you can t explain 3. Dizziness 4. Heavier-than-normal periods 5. Red or dark brown urine or stools Blood thinners will not allow platelets and other clotting factors to aggregate together and thus will increase the propensity to bleed. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini