Health News

Hearts Love Aspirin and Warfarin
Heart failure patients often take medication to lower their risk of stroke, hemorrhage or dying. A common choice is warfarin (Coumadin), though a large clinical trial has found that cheaper over-the-counter aspirin may be just as effective.
Risk High During Temporary Anticoagulant Halts
Patients with certain types of atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, are at a high risk of stroke and blood clots if they temporarily stop their blood thinning medication before surgery or permanently because of side effects.
Even Outpatient Surgery Comes With Blood Clots
Hospitalized patients who undergo surgery aren't the only ones at risk of suffering a dangerous blood clot. Patients undergoing outpatient procedures also are at risk.
Spicing Up Heart Health
Spicing up lunch with the addition of fiery peppers may do the heart favors. Capsaicin , a substance that adds the heat to a variety of peppers, including jalapenos and habaneros , has been found to improve heart and blood vessel health.
Rivaroxaban for Treating Pulmonary Embolism
New oral blood thinner rivaroxaban ( Xarelto ) has been shown to be safer for treating a pulmonary embolism as compared to enoxaparin ( Lovenox ) injections, and was found to be just as effective.
Genetic Test Not Necessary Before Taking Plavix
After an artery-opening procedure following a heart attack, some patients take Plavix ( clopidogrel ) to treat or prevent a blood clot. Though the drug isn't as effective in some individuals, genetic testing is not needed, a recent study suggests.
Do Birth Control Drugs Cause Blood Clots?
Women who use oral contraception, take caution: Birth control pills that contain the hormone  drospirenone may cause blood clots. Government officials are still examining study data and will decided whether the pills’ benefits outweigh the risk.
Aspirin May Cut Risk of Unprovoked Blood Clots
Low dose aspirin may help prevent an additional blood clot in patients not considered at risk. Taking a course of aspirin for at least two years could reduce the risk to patients by as much as 40 percent.
Apixaban Fails to Reduce Blood Clots
An experimental drug designed to aid severely ill patients after hospitalization is not more effective than standard treatments for reducing the risk of blood clots, a study has confirmed.
Contraceptive Side Effects
Certain birth control pills are more likely to cause serious blood clots than others. The newer forms of progesterone combined with hormonal contraceptives carry a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than older forms of the pill.