Denver Blood Thinner and Anticoagulant Injury Lawyers
Denver Lawyers Helping Victims of Improper Blood Thinner Use
Most likely, you've heard of blood thinners but haven't given them much thought until your doctor prescribed them for you. The term ‘blood thinner’ refers to several medications that work in different ways, though they all have the purpose of making it difficult for your blood to clot. Some medications do this by keeping the blood cells from sticking together. Others increase the time it takes a blood clot to form, meaning that your blood will be able to flow smoothly without being impeded. Blood thinners can also stop an existing clot from growing larger so that it doesn't block more blood from flowing through blood vessels. Unfortunately, while blood thinners help many people, they can cause serious harm if not administered correctly.
Most likely, you've heard of blood thinners but haven't given them much thought until your doctor prescribed them for you. The term ‘blood thinner’ refers to several medications that work in different ways, though they all have the purpose of making it difficult for your blood to clot. Some medications do this by keeping the blood cells from sticking together. Others increase the time it takes a blood clot to form, meaning that your blood will be able to flow smoothly without being impeded. Blood thinners can also stop an existing clot from growing larger so that it doesn't block more blood from flowing through blood vessels. Unfortunately, while blood thinners help many people, they can cause serious harm if not administered correctly.
We at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. know just how devastating improper blood thinner use is. We’ve seen the aftermath with many of our clients. That’s why when we take a case on, we fight for our clients to receive the compensation and justice they deserve. No one should be left suffering because someone else couldn’t be bothered to act responsibly. If you or your loved one have suffered due to someone else’s negligence in Colorado, contact our Denver medical malpractice lawyers today at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free (877) 433-3906 for a no charge initial consultation.
When Are Blood Thinners Prescribed?
Doctors prescribe blood thinners for various health problems that can result in blood clots. For instance, they're commonly recommended for people with heart disease, which include conditions, such as irregular heart rhythms and heart valve disease.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is an irregular heartbeat that's commonly treated by taking blood thinners. If you suffer from this heart problem, you're not alone as about 6 million other Americans have it. People with AFib are much more at risk for having a stroke and suffering from permanent disability than those who don't have this condition.
Blood thinners are also prescribed following some surgeries, such as a knee or hip replacement. This is to make sure that no blood clots form in your legs as you heal. Blood clots are not always stationary, and so a clot in your leg can quickly move through your blood stream and become a clot in your lung. There it poses significant risk to your health.
What Are Different Kinds of Blood Thinners?
The two main kinds of blood thinners are antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Even though both types of blood thinners prevent clotting, they do it in different ways.
Antiplatelets, which are also known as thrombocytes, work by lowering the blood's clotting ability by preventing platelets. This means they stop the cell fragments of the blood from binding together so that clots are not formed.
A common example is aspirin. Antiplatelets are typically used for people who are at high risk for blood clots. What's more, they're often prescribed to stroke patients as well as those who've had heart attacks. These medications are used in heart patients after they've had an intravascular coronary stent placement.
The second kind, anticoagulants, stop certain enzymes and proteins from performing their job in helping blood clots to form. Anticoagulants are usually prescribed to people who are at a high risk for having a stroke or those who suffer from atrial fibrillation. They're given to people who have blockages in the blood vessels located in the brain. Furthermore, anticoagulants are used after a cardiac bypass graft, a deep vein thrombosis, vascular surgery or angioplasty.
What Are the Dangers of Blood Thinners?
Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide proper and safe treatment. Sometimes, however, they act irresponsibly, and fail to help those in need. This can be incredibly dangerous, especially when it comes to blood thinners. Proper blood flow is vital for our health, and so improper blood thinner use can lead to many dangerous outcomes. Some potential complications include:
Overdose: Regardless of the type of blood thinner that's used or the reason it was prescribed, there's always the likelihood of taking too much medication or an overdose. When more blood thinner than is necessary is administered, it can cause you to bleed out, even from very minor cuts and wounds.
Improper Monitoring: Besides not giving the correct dose, another problem can be because doctors or other healthcare specialists fail to properly monitor a patient. Blood tests should be taken for ensuring patients have the correct vitamin and chemical levels. If these tests are not taken or improperly run, then the doctor or nurse responsible may be at fault for any complications that come as a result.
Failure to Double-Check Medications: Sometimes, problems with blood thinners are caused by a healthcare professional not double-checking medications before giving them to patients. It takes only a single mistake to cause severe injury or even death to a patient.
The Wrong Medication: In other situations, a doctor or nurse may give the wrong type of drug to a patient. This can result in death.
Other Considerations and Warnings
Blood thinners can cause side effects with the most common ones being bleeding and bruising. For example, sometimes anticoagulants cause bleeding in the stomach, brain or other areas of the body. The bleeding may occur even if there's no trauma or injury. This can be life threatening, so other treatments may be needed for controlling the bleeding.
You should always ask your doctor about possible side effects from a specific blood thinner. While taking proper care of you is their responsibility, never assume that that means you are in completely safe or competent hands. Do your best to watch out for you own health, and be aware of what you are putting into your body.
Older and younger people alike are at a higher risk when taking blood thinners. Their bodies are more sensitive, and so they are more susceptible to overdosing or bleeding out. If you are looking after someone of a high or low age, and they have been prescribed a blood thinner, be sure to check in with their doctor that they are being given the proper dosage. Never be afraid to get a second medical opinion.
How Our Denver Medication Injury Attorneys Can Help
When a doctor makes a mistake, it can have extreme consequences. It may leave you suffering for the rest of your life, or even cut your life short. Not keeping healthcare professional accountable for their actions is deplorable. That is why we at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have dedicated ourselves to fighting for patients and their medical malpractice cases. If you or a loved one has suffered from improper blood thinner usage due to a doctor or nurse’s negligence, contact us online or call (303) 759-9945 or toll-free (877) 433-3906 for a no charge initial consultation.
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