Blood thinners after heart surgery: why your care team watches closely
Many people take a blood thinner after heart surgery. It is a helpful medicine, and it is also a reason your care team keeps a closer eye on you. Here is why, in plain words.
never stop or change a blood thinner on your own. If you are worried about side effects, call your care team. Stopping suddenly can be more dangerous than continuing.
What is a blood thinner?
A blood thinner (doctors say anticoagulant) is a medicine that helps keep your blood from clotting too easily. After heart surgery, especially valve surgery, it can lower the risk of dangerous clots.
Anticoagulant (blood thinner)
A medicine that helps keep blood from clotting too easily. It lowers some risks but can make bleeding more likely.
Why does it mean closer watching?
Because a blood thinner makes bleeding a little more likely, it can slightly raise the chance of fluid building up around the heart after surgery. This is not common, but it is more likely in people on blood thinners, which is why your care team pays close attention, especially in the first few weeks.
This is also why some teams use home monitoring during this time, to help catch any problem early.
Signs worth a call
While on a blood thinner after surgery, tell your care team about:
- Feeling more short of breath, very tired, or dizzy
- A fast or fluttering heartbeat
- Unusual bruising, or bleeding that does not stop
- Black or bloody stools, or blood in urine
- A bad headache or a fall, especially hitting your head
When should I call my doctor or 911?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath, fainting, or chest pressure
- Bleeding that will not stop, or vomiting or coughing up blood
- A severe headache, confusion, or weakness after a fall or head bump
Call your care team about any bleeding, bruising, or new symptoms that worry you. Do not stop your medicine on your own. When in doubt, ask.
Where this information comes from
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Blood thinners; pericardial effusion.
- Mayo Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. Anticoagulants and recovery after heart surgery, patient information.
- For clinicians: why echo misses post-surgical hematoma.