I see people with blood clots every week, and I am frequently asked, “Why did I get a clot?” Provoked or unprovoked clot In many cases it is obvious why the clot occurred. In approximately 50% of cases, there is a clear provoking factor; The common ones are. Recent surgeryInjury to the legImmobilityLong air flightUnderlying cancer In women Taking an oral … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and Shots – Factor V Leiden and the Pfizer vaccine
Over the last few months, both doctors and patients have asked me several times if it is safe for people with the Factor V Leiden mutation to have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. At first, I couldn't understand why this question would come up, as there is no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine has any risk of thrombosis. But I presume the concern has come from publicity about the … [Read more...]
New Year resolutions for clotters
New Year is the time for making resolutions. If you are like me, they last for a few weeks at most but the intention is good. For people who have had a blood clot, these are three things that you might want to add to your resolutions for this year. Take your tablets regularly If you are taking an anticoagulant, you must keep taking it regularly. This is probably more … [Read more...]
Carols for clotters
This is a rather frivolous post but it is that time of year. I have modified a couple of well-known carols to bring some Christmas cheer to those of you on anticoagulants. The pregnant women's Christmas lament A Christmas carol to all those pregnant women having to inject themselves with low-molecular-weight heparin during the Christmas period. To the tune of O little … [Read more...]
Santa Claus atrial fibrillation risk
An article in The Medical Journal of Australia raised concerns that Santa has a risk of developing atrial fibrillation because of his advanced age and other risk factors. Currently, there is no guide to help manage his condition. Fortunately, the authors of the article have come up with some useful advice. They proposed the SANTA CLAUS mnemonic to aid … [Read more...]
Blood Red Christmas
Red and green are the colours of Christmas. But why have the colours become so synonymous with this time of year? I wondered if there was any link with blood. The main reason I tried to find a link was so I could show off our Lego Christmas Village in a post. It certainly has a red and green theme. We have been collecting a new house for the Christmas village every year for … [Read more...]
I need surgery – on warfarin for venous thrombosis
Many of you have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) or know somebody who has been affected by these conditions. Some of you will have had a short course of treatment, but if you have had more than one clot, you will likely stay on long-term treatment. Currently, most people with a DVT or PE are treated with newer drugs such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban or … [Read more...]
I need surgery – on warfarin for atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common condition. It affects approximately 1% of the population and up to 10% of people over 70 years have AF. At some time, you may need surgery. If you take warfarin there is some additional risk. Most people are concerned that they have an increased risk of bleeding if they keep taking their treatment and an increased risk of a stroke if they stop. … [Read more...]
COVID, clots and shots – Medsafe report explained.
"I'm not having the vaccine. It kills people", was the uncompromising response from one of my patients when I asked her if she was getting vaccinated. I can't give much more detail of our discussion as consultations are confidential, but the background to her statement goes something like this. She explained that a friend of hers knew of a man who developed a stroke three … [Read more...]
I need surgery – on warfarin for a heart valve
At some time, you may need surgery. If you take an anticoagulant for a replacement mechanical heart valve, there is some additional risk. Most people are concerned that they have an increased risk of bleeding if they keep taking their treatment and an increased risk of thrombosis if they stop. How do we decide what is the safest way to manage surgery? Assessing risk If … [Read more...]