“Do I have to take blood thinners for a long period of time?”
I was prescribed blood thinners after having a bypass surgery, and I noticed that my prescription was for a large duration of time--which I think is unnecessary. Is this normal to take blood thinners for a while?
2 Answers
Blood thinners are often prescribed after heart surgery for a couple of reasons. For patients who have undergone valve replacement with a mechanical valve, blood thinners are required for life. For those that have atrial fibrillation (an abnormal irregular rapid heart rhythm) after surgery, blood thinners may be prescribed for 3 months, after which the patient may be reevaluated to assess the need for ongoing therapy.
Aspirin 81 mg after bypass is recommended
