Managing Medications: Taking an Anticoagulant
3:47
Managing medications is one of the most common responsibilities of unpaid caregivers who are helping family members or friends. This task can be particularly challenging when the medication is considered high-risk. This episode of the Home Alone Alliance TM series on managing medications presents information about one frequently prescribed high-risk drug—warfarin. Warfarin is the generic name of the drug. Warfarin is often described, even by health care professionals, as a “blood thinner.” This is a common but inaccurate term. Warfarin does not thin blood; as an anticoagulant, it prevents blood from coagulating, that is, clotting. It is prescribed for people who have heart conditions like an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) or heart valve problems. It is also prescribed for people who have had blood clots in their legs or lungs to prevent a recurrence, and to people who are at risk of stroke.
Managing medications is one of the most common responsibilities of unpaid caregivers who are helping family members or friends. This task can be particularly challenging when the medication is considered high-risk. This episode of the Home Alone Alliance TM series on managing medications presents information about one frequently prescribed high-risk drug—warfarin. Warfarin is the generic name of the drug. Warfarin is often described, even by health care professionals, as a “blood thinner.” This is a common but inaccurate term. Warfarin does not thin blood; as an anticoagulant, it prevents blood from coagulating, that is, clotting. It is prescribed for people who have heart conditions like an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) or heart valve problems. It is also prescribed for people who have had blood clots in their legs or lungs to prevent a recurrence, and to people who are at risk of stroke.
Health Similar Videos
-
How to Help Cope With Touch Deprivation
2:19
Sari Cooper explains how touch deprivation can impact emotional and physical well-being and offers practical ways to regain a sense of comfort and connection.
-
How Much Water Should I Really Be Drinking?
2:33
Dr. Adam Rosenbluth explains why water intake matters as we age and offers tips for monitoring hydration levels.
-
Tips to Navigate Changing Sexuality as You Age
2:27
Certified sex therapist Sari Cooper discusses how our attractions can be fluid an evolve at any age, due to emotional growth and changes to sexual attitudes.
