coumadin and aspirin

[Gail K]

Hi,

I'm still 3 to 5 years away from having AVR surgery, but I'm thinking about getting an ON-X mechanical valve when I do. I've been reading posts regarding anticoagulation and INR, etc. and trying to learn as much as I can.

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering if anyone has considered or tried using aspirin in conjunction with coumadin so that the amount of coumadin needed can be decreased? The reason I'm asking is maybe a combination like this would help decrease any possible side effects of using coumadin.

Thanks,
Gail

 

[njean]

I take a baby aspirin along with my coumadin & all my other meds on a daily basis. It's funny because for years & years I was told by my long-standing cardiologist, never to take aspirin & then when I had my 3rd OHS, I was told I had to include a baby aspirin in my regime of pills! I don't think however, that it affects your INR that much & that mostly it's prescribed to help keep your BP (blood pressure) in check.

 

[Dina]

I believe that aspirin works differently from coumadin;aspirin is an anticoagulant but It works differently.I wasnt allowed to use it for embolism prophylaxis when I had an arrhythmia last year-and I asked.
I have a bovine tricuspid , 2 mos. post op and I am supposed to be on
coumadin for atleast 3 mos.,but I had abnormally extreme side effects ,
so I am on Lovenox(like heparin). I would recommend a monitored field
test for coumadin - most people are ok on it, but forewarned is fore-armed.
Sorry not more helpful, Dina:

 

[Gail K]

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

I would recommend a monitored field
test for coumadin - most people are are ok on it, but forewarned is fore-armed.

I'm definitely going ask for this.

Gail

 

[kchristian]

I started taking warfarin sodium after OHS in August 2006. At that time the recommended therapy was NOT TO include aspirin. During my followup with the cardiologist just 4 months later he said to take a daily baby aspirin AND warfarin sodium. Both my husband and I were surprised to hear that and we asked again to be sure we had heard him correctly. We were told that that is the recommended therapy now (I am a Kaiser Permanente patient). It does not appear to affect my INR. My warfarin sodium dosage did not change after the addition of baby aspirin to my daily medication intake. My understanding is that baby aspirin helps to reduce inflammation in the circulatory system.

Prior to my surgery I was NOT prescribed baby aspirin even though I was being monitored for a malfunctioning BAV for many years and was over 50 years old. The reason at that time was that they did not want me to take anything that could cause bleeding issues. There is a risk in taking most anything but thank goodness for the many studies that help to figure out what works best. I do my own homework, ask questions and follow the advice of those entrusted with my care and health.

 

[njean]

Thanks to both of you for your replies.



I'm definitely going ask for this.

Gail

I also want to add Gail, that aspirin may also be prescribed for patients that are a high risk for strokes.

 

[Blanche]

You have introduced an interesting topic. My husband and I are both taking Coumadin. He takes it because he has a mechanical mitral valve. I have developed a-fib.

I don't understand your statement about decreasing the amount of Coumadin (anticoagulant) by taking aspirin. Everyone is different. The appropriate amount of Coumadin is the amount the individual needs to keep her/his anticoagulation level in range.

We have a member here whose dose of Coumadin is 20.0 or more. Then, we also have another member whose dose is 3.0. They are both in range because they have the appropriate does to maintain their desired range.

In our case, my husband's Coumadin dose is 6.0 and his range is 3.0-4.0. I take 6.0 and my range is 2.0 to 3.0. Our recent p/t tests showed that his INR was 3.5 and mine was 2.3. We are both right where we need to be.

There is a most interesting and informative video that might interest you. It is located here on a stickey at the top of the Anticoagulation Forum. It is one hour long. It features three of the foremost experts on anticoagulation. I learned so much from that clip, and all I had to do was relad, watch and listen, and take notes.

Kind regards,
Blanche

 

[rn_cvicu]

Hi there

Hi there

Asprin and coumadin work in different ways. Aspirin makes your platelets slippery and inhibits them from sticking together. Aspirin does not affect your INR but can still cause bleeding to be prolonged. Coumadin does affect INR and can be used effectively with aspirin if prescibed, especially if you have coronary artery disease also. The major side effect from coumadin is bleeding whether it be gums, bowel, urine, or trauma if INR is too high. Aspirin would only make it easier to bleed.

 

[Ross]

Asprin and coumadin work in different ways. Aspirin makes your platelets slippery and inhibits them from sticking together. Aspirin does not affect your INR but can still cause bleeding to be prolonged. Coumadin does affect INR and can be used effectively with aspirin if prescibed, especially if you have coronary artery disease also. The major side effect from coumadin is bleeding whether it be gums, bowel, urine, or trauma if INR is too high. Aspirin would only make it easier to bleed.

100% correct. You cannot substitute asprin for Coumadin. Do not worry about the amount of Coumadin you take. Whatever you take that keeps you in your range is the correct amount. Some people can take very little, others take quite a lot. It just depends on how you metabolize the drug.

 

[ctyguy]

I have a mechanical On-X valve, 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. I take Coumadin, 35mg per week, and I take one baby aspirin each day also. These were perscribed by my doctor upon my release. I have an appt with my Cardiologist next week and I am going to ask if the baby aspirin is part of the long term plan.

 

[Gail K]

thanks

thanks

Thanks everyone for your replies. As always, this is a very responsive and helpful group of people. I appreciate this forum very much.

Gail

 

[Jkm7]

I believe that aspirin's effect on the blood is to make it less 'sticky'....less likely to form a clot. After my first OHS, I was on 325 mg coated aspirin daily and no coumadin. I just had my second OHS, bovine mitral replacement, and they reduced my aspirin to 81 mg and put me on coumadin for 2 to 3 months. They have told me when they let me stop the coumadin, I will return to 325 mg aspirin.

 

[Ross]

http://warfarinfo.com/aspirin-warfarin.htm

 

[Gail K]

thanks again

thanks again

thanks again for all the input. Thanks, Ross, for the article - it was very informative.

 

[malloryn]

Coumadin and aspirin

Coumadin and aspirin

Since my last surgery in Jan, I was told to take Coumadin and a whole adult dose of aspirin. I freaked, but I was told that they work differently!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Since my last surgery in Jan, I was told to take Coumadin and a whole adult dose of aspirin. I freaked, but I was told that they work differently!

I'm curious why your Doc (which one? Cardio? PCP? other?) told you to take a whole (325 mg) Aspirin.

My (non-professional) understanding is that the 'optimum' dose for Coronary Artery protection is 162 mg (2 baby aspirins), preferably taken separately (morning and evening).

You may also want to ask about taking Enteric (coated) Aspirin to prevent damage to your stomach.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Blanche]

THree cheers again for you, Al Capshaw!

Almost 8 years ago, both the cardiologist and the internist recommended 2 baby aspirin, to be taken morning and evening for both of us. They also insisted upon Enteric (coated) aspirin, especially for Albert because of his stomach concerns.

We have both been taking the dosages recommended and have had no problems at all.

Blanche

 

[witzkeyman]

I'm glad you asked

I'm glad you asked

Hi,

I'm still 3 to 5 years away from having AVR surgery, but I'm thinking about getting an ON-X mechanical valve when I do. I've been reading posts regarding anticoagulation and INR, etc. and trying to learn as much as I can.

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering if anyone has considered or tried using aspirin in conjunction with coumadin so that the amount of coumadin needed can be decreased? The reason I'm asking is maybe a combination like this would help decrease any possible side effects of using coumadin.

Thanks,
Gail

I may ask my cardio if I can take a baby aspirin a day also.

 

[dick0236]

A few years after my surgery I was transferred by my company and my new cardio put me on an adult asparin (I don't think baby asparin was available yet). After a couple of years I was transferred back to Louisville and my local cardio immediately took me off the asparin. A year or so ago, after seeing asparin promoted as very beneficial for heart health and reading a number of posts that baby asparin was being prescribed after heart surgery, I asked my current cardio about adding it to my drug therapy. He said the answer, in my case, is still NO. Asparin may be helpful for many people, but I would not add it without my docs knowledge and OK.

 

[Bina]

Asprin and coumadin work in different ways. Aspirin makes your platelets slippery and inhibits them from sticking together. Aspirin does not affect your INR but can still cause bleeding to be prolonged. Coumadin does affect INR and can be used effectively with aspirin if prescibed, especially if you have coronary artery disease also. The major side effect from coumadin is bleeding whether it be gums, bowel, urine, or trauma if INR is too high. Aspirin would only make it easier to bleed.

Exactly right!
I was given a daily 81mg coated aspirin for 2 yrs post op, I no longer need to take it.
As a result, my minor nose bleeds have now stopped.