Attention if you are using blood thinners!

Van Training and Research Hospital Chief Physician and Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Remzi Sarıkaya made important statements regarding the use of blood thinners. Sarıkaya warned that blood thinners should not be used without any doctor's recommendation, as doing so could lead to life-threatening problems.

“It can cause ulcers to bleed, it can lead to brain hemorrhage”

Hospital Chief Physician and Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Remzi Sarıkaya stated that blood thinners have been among the frequently asked questions since the coronavirus process.

''IT CAN CAUSE EXISTING ULCERS TO BLEED, IT CAN LEAD TO BRAIN HEMORRHAGE''

Stating that while blood thinners have benefits, they also create a suitable environment for bleeding, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarıkaya said, "Using blood thinners is like a double-edged sword. Decisions we make on our own, such as 'I will take aspirin 2-3 days a week' or 'I will take aspirin continuously,' are not appropriate. We must use them only after undergoing a doctor's check-up. Blood thinners are drugs used for protection, especially in cardiovascular diseases. Otherwise, using blood thinners without any examination or necessary advanced evaluations is not only useless but can also be harmful. It can cause existing ulcers to bleed and lead to brain hemorrhage. Blood thinners are important drugs because they reduce the risk of death in patients when used for appropriate indications, but we recommend them only after a good evaluation, a good anamnesis, a good physical examination, and a 10-year cardiovascular risk calculation."

''IF WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK...''

Expressing that people generally start taking blood thinners to avoid having a heart attack, Sarıkaya said, "If we do not want to have a heart attack, it is necessary to fight against risk factors, if any, along with exercise and diet, which are more beneficial than medication. For example, if there is tobacco use, we must move away from it; we must stay away from all cigarettes and tobacco products. Again, we can reduce this risk by treating diabetes if it exists, or by treating cholesterol disease if it exists. If there is a history of heart attack at a young age in the family, and you also smoke, having a heart attack becomes almost inevitable. Diet, try to get rid of excess weight if you have any, and minimize the risk with at least half an hour of brisk walking daily."

News Source: İHA