Oral Anticoagulants
Oral Anticoagulants
Talk to your health professional about taking anticoagulant medicine to reduce stroke risk and live well with AF.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition where your heart beats irregularly.
With a normal heartbeat, blood pumps through all four chambers of the heart smoothly.
With AF, blood doesn’t move through the heart as it’s supposed to, causing an irregular heartbeat. If blood does not flow through the heart properly, it can cause blood to pool in the heart and form a ‘blood clot’. If a clot breaks away from the heart and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
Signs of stroke include:
- F: face drooped
- A: arms can’t be raised
- S: speech slurred or confused
- T: time is critical call 000
If you have AF, you may get:
- palpitations (fast heart beats)
- dizziness, or
- shortness of breath.
To find out if you have AF, a doctor or nurse will check your pulse. If it feels irregular, they may refer you for more tests.
What are Anticoagulants and how do they work?
If you have AF, your healthcare professional will work with you to manage your condition. One treatment they might recommend is an anticoagulant medicine.
Anticoagulants are a type of medicine that helps prevent blood clots. They won’t directly manage the irregular heartbeat but work by making it harder for your blood to clot. This helps lower the risk of having a stroke from AF. Other treatments are needed to help with symptoms caused by AF.
Anticoagulants may make bleeding and bruising more likely. There are medicines that can be used to reverse serious bleeds. Contact your doctor if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding.
Call 000 or go straight to hospital if you experience signs of serious bleeding, such as:
- Nose bleeds that do not stop
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Blood in urine or bowel movements
- Bleeding or bruising that gets worse
- Sudden and severe headache
With the right treatment and regular care, including taking anticoagulants safely and as prescribed, most people with AF can continue to live well.
Why are anticoagulants important for managing Atrial Fibrillation?
People with AF have a high risk of stroke. A stroke can cause serious damage to the brain with long-lasting effects.
Taking anticoagulants can reduce your risk of stroke. Your healthcare professional will talk with you about your options and help you understand how to take your anticoagulant medicine safely. They’ll also answer any questions you may have.
The Anticoagulants Care Plan is a helpful guide. It has more information and tips on how to talk with your health professional about taking your anticoagulant medicine safely.
Need more information?
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