Serious Side Effects Of Blood Thinners

Unusual Bruising

Unusual bruising is a common side effect of blood thinners. Patients often develop bruises through simple bumps or touching that would not otherwise result in bruising. For example, simply resting or lightly bumping an arm up against a table or countertop could be enough to cause a bruise. Typically, the patient cannot remember a specific injury that led to the bruise. Bruising may occur frequently in patients who take blood thinners, and the bruises could be large, painful, and slow to heal. To protect against bruising, patients should be very careful when handling sharp or abrasive objects, including kitchen utensils.

Patients might wish to wear long sleeves or long pants to provide an extra layer of cushioning against small bumps or knocks that could produce bruises. It is especially important to avoid contact sports and to take precautions to prevent falls that could result in bruising and internal bleeding. Patients should ensure they have adequate lighting at home, and any throw rugs and other trip hazards should be removed. If bruises are painful or increase in size, patients should see a doctor. It may be helpful to photograph bruises to measure how long it takes them to heal and to document their size.

Vomiting Blood

Vomiting blood is a sign of serious internal bleeding, and patients with this symptom need to seek emergency medical attention. When blood is present in vomit, it may take on a black or dark brown color similar to coffee grounds. It could also be bright red, and patients might cough up tiny flecks of blood. Once at the emergency room, doctors will do a complete evaluation to determine the cause of this symptom, and the patient must inform staff they are taking blood thinners. It can be helpful to let staff know how long the vomiting has been happening and when the blood was first noticed.

Imaging studies may be performed to check for signs of internal bleeding, and patients might need surgery to correct this. Vomiting blood may cause the patient to go into shock, which can produce additional symptoms such as dizziness upon standing, as well as shallow and rapid breathing. Patients should be taken to an emergency room by ambulance in this case.