Question 1

how effective is warfarin (coumadin) for treating stroke?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the type: Coumadin (warfarin) is effective in preventing stroke from blood clots that originate in the heart. These can be from atrial fibrillation, clot on a heart valve,  or from a damaged left ventricle.T he new anticoagulants (Eliquis, Pradaxa) are also effective in treating atrial fibrillation that is not assoicated with a valve problem.Coumadin (warfarin) is not recommended for strokes from carotid artery disease .

Question 2

is it possible to have a stroke while on warfarin? my last inr was 2.08.

Accepted Answer

Yes. It's possible.: There are two types of strokes. Hemorrhagic and Thromboembolic. Hemorrhagic strokes can occur with the use of blood thinners secondary to decreased effectiveness of clotting factors. Please visit the ER within 2 hours of suspicious onset of weakness or disorientation.

Question 3

should you take warfarin or aspirin, if you have had a previous stroke?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Depends on what type of stroke you had. If it was ischemic(form hardening of the arteries) then Aspirin is generally recomended. If it is embolic( from a clot traveling to the brain, sy form atrial fibrillation), then warfarin is recomended.

Question 4

hi.my husband get stroke when on warfarin..so doctors shifted him on acitrom.i am not getting it in guyana,what is the best replacement for acitrome?

Accepted Answer

Acitrom is coumarin: Acitrom (acenocoumarol) is similar to Warfarin (coumadin) in that both are in the coumarin class of drugs &amp; work essentially the same way. It's hard to advise you since most docs won't know what drugs are available in Guyana. Use HealthTap Prime to help figure that out. Newer drugs like Rivaroxaban work differently but are equally effective. Oddly, coumadin comes from tonka tree (native to Guyana)

Question 5

bp low, taking warfarin..all well ,suddenly brain stroke...how could this have happened?

Accepted Answer

Systemic illness: Sorry for your stroke, but the use of blood thinners only decreases your risk but cannot eliminate it. Most of the time this is used for atrial,fibrillation in case small,clots leave the hear and stop,in the brain. But thinning the blood also can cause small brain bleeds that also are a stroke. You need a discussion with your neurologist to determine your risk for more strokes and his to prevent.

Question 6

should i give aspirin to somebody if they are having stroke symptoms but are taking warfarin ?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin and stroke: No.  The patient may be having a hemorrhagic stroke and Aspirin would make it worse.  Call 911.

Question 7

is excessive sleep in an 80 years old a warning sign for a stroke? given that we have high inr level? and trying to maintain it  using coumadin (warfarin).

Accepted Answer

No.: Stroke does not have warning signs except for transient neurologic symptoms which are only recognized as transient in retrospect.  Sleeping is not a warning sign nor is it associated with elevated inr.  You should have had a frank discussion with your provider about the risks and benefits of Coumadin (warfarin) therapy using the chadsvasc and possibly hasbled scoring systems.

Question 8

would stopping my coumadin (warfarin) give me a stroke? i am 78, and have multiple myeloma (untreatable), with copd.

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you're taking Coumadin (warfarin) because of chronic atrial fibrillation or a mechanical artificial heart valve, then stopping Coumadin (warfarin) would put you at risk for a clot in the atrial chambers  or on the valve which could travel to the lungs or organs like the brain. If your heart rhythm is normal there is less risk of stroke or other complications from blood clots. The same is true if your valves are norma.

Question 9

what do you think about a person on warfarin going from 2.3 and 1.9 inr to a1.2 inr in less than a week? do you think this person has stopped taking their warfarin? my 76 year old mother had a slight stroke this morning and i am not sure if i can believe

Accepted Answer

I : I agree that you should be concerned that she may not be reliably taking the warfarin as prescribed.  It would be very unusual for the inr to drop so dramatically while one is taking their usual warfarin dose on a daily basis.  Changes in diet, particularly leafy green vegetables can affect the inr and the response to warfarin, but usually not to such a degree.

Question 10

a-fib, stroke prophylaxis: arixtra works diff from warfarin, no approval by fda & no studies establishing its effectiveness. how can it be acceptable?

Accepted Answer

Arixtra: It is different and it is an anti clotting drug that is effective. Discuss with the doctor why it is being chosen. We do use it when the situation is appropriate.

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Doctor answers about:

Cumadin and stroke

A member asked:

How effective is warfarin (coumadin) for treating stroke?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have a stroke while on warfarin? my last inr was 2.08.

A member asked:

Should you take warfarin or aspirin, if you have had a previous stroke?

A member asked:

Hi.my husband get stroke when on warfarin..so doctors shifted him on acitrom.i am not getting it in guyana,what is the best replacement for acitrome?

A member asked:

Bp low, taking warfarin..all well ,suddenly brain stroke...how could this have happened?

A member asked:

Should i give aspirin to somebody if they are having stroke symptoms but are taking warfarin ?

A member asked:

Is excessive sleep in an 80 years old a warning sign for a stroke? given that we have high inr level? and trying to maintain it using coumadin (warfarin).

A member asked:

Would stopping my coumadin (warfarin) give me a stroke? i am 78, and have multiple myeloma (untreatable), with copd.

A member asked:

What do you think about a person on warfarin going from 2.3 and 1.9 inr to a1.2 inr in less than a week? do you think this person has stopped taking their warfarin? my 76 year old mother had a slight stroke this morning and i am not sure if i can believe

A member asked:

A-fib, stroke prophylaxis: arixtra works diff from warfarin, no approval by fda & no studies establishing its effectiveness. how can it be acceptable?

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