Common cold & coumadin

[Zoeey2011]

Hi, I have a cold which I have had for a week. I am getting better but just wondering if the cold will affect my INR. My INR level last week was 3.5 and I asked my doctor if the cold would affect my levels of INR and she said it could affect it slightly. I test once a month and my INR is pretty stable staying between 3.0 and 3.5. I had Aortice valve replaced in Feb 2011 and my INR has been stable for over a year now. There are a lot of people on this site that have been taking coumadin for a long time and would appreciate your feedback.

 

[dick0236]

I don't believe that the common cold has ever had a direct affect on my INR. However, there may be a small effect due to cold meds, diet and activity change due to the cold, etc. Whatever the affect, it has been minimal.....for me.

 

[Zoeey2011]

Dick, thank you so much for the reply. I was hoping that you would send me feedback as I see that you are a long time survivor and have good experience with coumadin. This is my second heart surgery. I had a tissue valve in 2005 but had to have it replaced last February. I was not comfortable with the idea of being on coumadin but so far it has not been an issue for me. I was concerned me having this cold but you have confirmed what my doctor told me so I feel much better. I am not sure if the effect will be lower or higher INR but either way since I am at 3.5 should not be a problem. I live in Barrie, Ontario so I test at a lab once a month.

Take care

Sue