Subtitle: Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, are a class of drugs used to prevent arterial thrombosis. Arterial thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in an artery, which can cause a blockage in the artery and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Anticoagulants work by preventing the formation of clots and reducing the risk of blood clots forming in the arteries. Examples of anticoagulants include aspirin, warfarin, and heparin. Aspirin is an antiplatelet, which means it prevents platelets from sticking together and forming a clot. Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, which blocks the action of vitamin K and prevents clot formation. Heparin is a direct-acting anticoagulant, which works directly on clotting factors in the blood to prevent clot formation.
Anticoagulants can be used to prevent arterial thrombosis in people with high risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of stroke or heart attack. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of anticoagulants before taking them. Anticoagulants can cause serious side effects and should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor.