Anticoagulation Management Specialist

What is anticoagulation management?

Anticoagulation management is one of the preventive cardiology services available at Cardiac Care Consultants. The team offers the service to prevent, treat, and reduce the risk of blood clot formation. 

A blood clot may block the flow of blood through a blood vessel, leading to serious health complications such as a heart attack or stroke. 

Anticoagulation management involves the use of anticoagulant medications like Coumadin — also known as blood thinners — to prevent the formation of blood clots. 

Because these medications affect your body’s blood clotting abilities, you need close monitoring and care to ensure you get the therapeutic benefits without the risk of serious side effects. 

Who needs anticoagulation management?

Your cardiologist at Cardiac Care Consultants determines if you need anticoagulation management after a consultation. You may benefit from this treatment if you have:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Valvular heart disease
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolisms

These conditions may increase your risk of developing a blood clot that leads to serious health complications. 

How does anticoagulation management work?

Anticoagulation management works by preventing blood clots from forming or growing larger. The team at Cardiac Care Consultants most often prescribes Coumadin (warfarin) for anticoagulation management.

Coumadin prevents blood from clotting by blocking vitamin K, which is one of the factors your blood needs to form blood clots. Vitamin K is in many foods, and the amount you eat affects how well Coumadin works. 

For anticoagulation management, the team runs blood tests to monitor how quickly your blood clots. This test is known as the prothrombin time test (PTT), which is measured using the International Normalized Ratio (INR). 

The team adjusts your medication based on your rate of blood clotting or INR. 

What happens during anticoagulation medication management visits?

The purpose of anticoagulation management at Cardiac Care Consultants is to monitor the effectiveness of your blood-thinning medication and adjust your dose to prevent bleeding. 

When first starting anticoagulant mediation, the team may have you come to the office frequently to check your INR and adjust your dose until you reach your INR goal. Then, they have you return every 4-6 weeks. 

At each subsequent visit, your provider:

• Checks your INR
• Adjusts your anticoagulant dose as needed
• Talks to you about the medication 
• Reviews side effects 
• Discusses your diet to help you maintain your set INR 

Your anticoagulation management visits take less than 30 minutes. 

To learn more about anticoagulation medication management at Cardiac Care Consultants, call the office closest to you or schedule a consultation online today.