pacemaker and blood thinner med

My 92 year old aunt might get a pacemaker. She is also on the blood thinner, Coumadin (could be misspelled....) Does anyone know of any complication with this med and a pacemaker? Thanks. Sara

4 Comments

no problem

by Shell - 2008-07-20 02:07:20

I am on warafarin(generic coumadin). I have been for about 3 1/2 years and have had a pm for 2 years. I heven't had any complications with them together. I only had to stop taking it a few days before I got my pm to cut down on bleeding issues during implantation.

PM & Blood Thinners

by SMITTY - 2008-07-20 03:07:50

Hi Saea,

There is no adverse interaction between coumadin and a pacemaker. Actually there are times when blood thinners such as coumadin or warfarin are prescribed to help ward off a problem that a pacemaker is helping treat.

The last line of Shell's comment may be especially applicable to your aunt so be sure her doctor knows she is on coumadin.

We send our best to your aunt.

Smitty

Coumadin,PM & Me

by janetinak - 2008-07-21 03:07:22

I have been on Coumadin since Jan. 1999, & have had a PM since Oct. 2000. Only thing one has to be careful about is to get your blood level checked frequently. I get a finger pricked & get almost immediate results at the Coumadin Clinic @ the Alaska Heart Institure (where my cardio & EP practice) every month to check my INR. Almost everything can affect the Coumadin-activity level, what you eat & almost all other meds. I have been told to keep my diet similiar & not to have wide fluctuations in what I eat-vegies, etc. are fine as long as I eat approximately same every wk & to call & come in if I change meds esp. antibiotics. You can Google Coumadin & get a lot of info to help her undertsnd what to be aware of.

Good luck, Janet

Coumadin

by richan - 2008-07-21 10:07:24

Hi Sara,
The reason I was placed on Coumadin was/is that prolonged a-fib can allow blood clots to form in the atriums. If a clot does form and a part of it breaks off, it can end up lodged in the brain creating a stroke. Coumadin, being an anti-coagulant usually will not allow a clot to form. Like Janet says, keeping that INR level where it is supposed to be can be quite a challenge. I get my pro-time checked once a month - most recent report was 2.6, so I'm good for another month. I have noticed that I bruise easier that I used to and skin abrasions tend to "ooze" a bit.
I hope that all goes well.
Richard

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