Tips for Taking Coumadin

03/14/08 Treatment Options

Anticoagulants, commonly called blood thinners, are prescribed to prevent blood clots after cardiac surgery or to prevent strokes in some conditions. When you are put on a blood thinner like Coumadin® or warfarin you have to be proactive to maintain the right level in your system.

Regular blood tests monitor the patients International Normalized Ratio (INR) which measures the thinness of the blood. Patients must maintain an INR thin enough to provide therapeutic benefits, but not too thin. Excessive bleeding and even life threatening spontaneous bleeding can result from a high INR. The best way to be proactive is to be well-informed. Here are some tips to maintain a consistent INR:

Eat a healthy and consistent diet:

Don't ban the leafy greens. Choose a well-balanced diet and work with your health care professional to adjust your Coumadin® to match what you eat. Many patients think I can't eat broccoli. That will affect my numbers. Patients may be told to avoid foods high in vitamin K, which regulates the clotting of blood. However, we need certain amounts of vegetables to maintain a healthy heart.

"Without those vegetables we are doing our bodies more harm than good," said Mellanie True Hills, a heart disease survivor and Founder of the American Foundation for Women's Health. "It really is a case of being consistent in the amount you eat from day to day and getting your Coumadin® level adjusted to fit what you eat."

Registered dietitian, Jill Fleming, agrees. "The main thing is that you don’t drastically alter your green veggie intake," she said. "Some people run into problems when they go crazy eating produce out of the garden during the summer months and then drop way off in their consumption during the winter season. Consistency is the goal."

Watch the sneaky foods:

Any food high in omega-3 fatty acids such as nuts, soy beans, olives, and chick peas, are also high in vitamin K. Include a healthy and consistent amount in your diet.

"Typically we think of the green things as being an issue for vitamin K," True Hills advised. "Things like broccoli, spinach, and green beans all contain vitamin K. But there are a lot of things we don't think about like olive oil. It stands to reason when it comes from green olives, that there would be a vitamin K issue there. Even walnuts and other nuts have an impact due to high levels of vitamin K."

Drink wisely and consistently:

One glass of red wine each day has been shown to be good for your heart, but too much alcohol or an inconsistent level of alcohol will lead to an inconsistent INR. Keep your alcohol consumption moderate and level from day-to-day.

Use a pill case:

Make sure you take your medication every day. If necessary, use an alarm on your watch to remind you to take your pills at the correct time.

Check the label on supplements:

Many multivitamins contain vitamin K. Herbal remedies with ginseng, ginkgo biloba, ginger, garlic, St. John's wort, and green tea will impact your INR. Check with your pharmacist before taking a supplement or an over-the-counter medication.

Be in control:

Be vigilant in keeping INR testing appointments. Inform your health care provider about any changes in your diet or medications, including herbal and over-the-counter. Discuss with your doctor if home INR testing is an option. Medicare is considering covering this very effective and convenient tool for management.

Pay attention to bruising and your menstrual cycle:

Excessive bruising or an overly intense menstrual flow may be signs your INR is too high.

Be well informed, proactive, and consistent to maintain your health.

For more Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Busy People visit Eliz’s blog at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

Eliz Greene survived a heart attack at age thirty-five while seven-months pregnant with twins. She is a heart health educator, freelance writer, and speaker on a mission to help busy people lead healthier lives.