Are blood clots life-threatening? Yes, if your blood thickens an artery or vein may be cutting the supply of blood to it’s ultimate destination which may lead to a stroke or hemorrhage which can in many instances, result in death. VTE or Venous Thromboembolism is a possible medical condition in which the formation of a …
What is Atrial Fibrillation? Atrial Fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF is a condition in which your heart’s normal rhythm is out of order. In biological terms, when the upper two chambers of the heart i.e. the atrium or the auricles experience any kind of anarchic electrical signals it causes irregular or increased …
The Human heart is divided into four chambers in which blood flows. The upper two chambers are known as auricles or atrium and the bottom two chambers are known as ventricles. Deoxygenated blood enters into the right atrium and is transferred to the right ventricle and then to the lungs. After purification, the oxygenated blood …
WHAT MUST YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT MECHANICAL HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT? Read More »
INR or International Normalized Ratio is a ratio which is measured by a PT or Prothrombin Time test to show the time taken for the blood to clot in our bodies. Patients who are on WARFARIN [a blood thinning medication] are advised to monitor their PT/INR level on a regular basis so that the correct …
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin which is important for blood coagulation. If our body lacks vitamin K then it is unable to control the formation of a clot. Vitamin K helps to synchronize the process of blood coagulation by aiding in the conversion of certain coagulation factors in their natural forms. How does …
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN K ON THE COAGULATION PROCESS? Read More »
Vitamin K Antagonists [VKAs] or Oral Anticoagulation Therapy is the medicinal use of anticoagulants to reduce the formation of blood clots in our blood vessels. An Anticoagulant is a drug or any substance which helps to slow down the coagulation of blood. If the formation of a blood clot takes place in our blood vessels, …
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ORAL ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY? Read More »
A PT/INR home monitoring system is the easiest way of measuring your PT/INR level at home. PT or the Prothrombin time is a test which is generally done to identify and manage bleeding disorders. A protein produced by your liver called “Prothrombin”, which is present in blood plasma, is converted into active thrombin during coagulation. INR or the international normalized ratio is a ratio or …
PATIENT SELF TESTING at home is one of the easiest ways to monitor the PT/ INR levels for patients who undergo anticoagulation therapy. Blood thinners or anticoagulants are chemical substances which prevent the formation of harmful blood clots in our body. For example, patients who are diagnosed with Arrhythmias are prescribed anticoagulation therapy. WARFARIN [COUMADIN] …
PATIENT SELF TESTING – INSURANCE & MEDICARE GUIDELINES Read More »
WARFARIN [COUMADIN], an anticoagulant drug is generally given to patients who need blood thinning medication and are at high risk of stroke or heart attack. It prevents harmful blood clots from growing larger. When blood clots are smaller they have a tendency to dissolve on their own. The problem arises when they grow large and …
RELEVANT GUIDELINES FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE ON WARFARIN [COUMADIN] Read More »
The Prothrombin test (PT/INR) is generally used to measure the time taken by blood to form a clot. The PT/INR test is usually recommended for patients who are taking WARFARIN {COUMADIN} which are blood thinning medications. It is very important to monitor INR levels on a regular basis. If you are taking WARFARIN you need to measure regularly how thick or thin your blood is. This …
THE ROLE OF INSURANCE IN EXPANDING THE USE OF HOME PT/INR MONITORING Read More »
