As people age, they are more likely to acquire certain health disorders, notably those involving the cardiovascular system. Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, are routinely administered to seniors to treat and prevent diseases that might lead to major problems such as stroke, heart attack, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While this may be common, that doesn’t mean that seniors should just accept it. Rather, they can gain valuable education and support from the help of home care providers, as well as the confidence to talk with their medical team when they have concerns.
The Use of Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are medications that prevent blood clots from forming or expanding in size. While they do not dissolve existing clots, they do reduce the blood’s capacity to coagulate, which is important for seniors who are at risk of clot-related issues.
There are two major kinds of blood thinners:
Anticoagulants: These include warfarin and more recent medicines like rivaroxaban and apixaban. They work by interfering with the blood clotting factors.
Antiplatelet Drugs: Aspirin and clopidogrel are two common examples of antiplatelet medications.
Understanding Seniors’ Risks
Several factors make seniors particularly vulnerable to illnesses that require blood thinners:
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): This irregular heartbeat is common in seniors and dramatically raises the risk of stroke by forming clots in the heart that can move to the brain.
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): VTE is a combination of both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Immobility, which may increase with age due to a variety of reasons, increases the risk of these hazardous clots.
Cardiovascular Events: Conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) may require the use of blood thinners to prevent heart attacks or other problems.
Prosthetic Heart Valves: Anticoagulants are frequently recommended for seniors who have artificial heart valves to prevent clot formation.
Benefits of Blood Thinners
The goal of prescribing blood thinners to seniors is to prevent potentially fatal occurrences like strokes and pulmonary embolisms. In many circumstances, these medications considerably lower the risk of problems, increasing quality of life and longevity.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite their benefits, blood thinners do not come without hazards. Home care can help seniors understand both so they are better able to advocate for themselves. Some challenges seniors might be faced with include the fact that they are more likely to experience bleeding issues due to thinner skin, weaker blood vessels, and possible interactions with other medications. The use of blood thinners might also increase the impact of falls and injuries, which is another thing to consider. To overcome these challenges, healthcare professionals must carefully weigh the benefits and dangers, as well as encourage seniors to rely on senior home care and loved ones for support. Additionally, seniors might be encouraged to make lifestyle modifications when taking blood thinners, such as avoiding high-risk activities, limiting alcohol use, and maintaining stable dietary habits, especially those taking warfarin.
The use of blood thinners by seniors is a deliberate strategy to control and prevent major cardiovascular diseases. While these medications are not without hazards, careful management, patient education, and the support of home care can help reduce issues and ensure seniors get the most out of them.
Sources: https://lowninstitute.org/the-harms-and-benefits-of-blood-thinners-for-older-adults/
https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2024/blood-thinners.html
https://www.webmd.com/dvt/dvt-treatment-tips-for-taking-heparin-and-warfarin-safely
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