SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Kristen from Sioux City asks, "Why does a patient not need to have regular blood tests while taking this new blood thinner Pradaxa?"
Dr. Ramin Artang, Mercy Cardiology says, "Warfarin, or Coumadin, is the most common blood thinner available and it's been around since 1954. The problem with Warfarin is the dose is the body has to be within a narrow zone. Too much will cause bleeding, and too little would not protect against blood clots. That's why we need to monitor it somewhere between every 2-4 weeks to make sure its working the way it should. Since November of 2010, there are now two new drugs available that could replace warfarin. The advantage of it is that it is relatively stable in the body, and therefore does not need checking like other medications we take."
Debra from Sioux City asks, "I've been a smoker for 42 years, 1 pack a day. I quit 2 years ago. Will the heart health risk decline in time? I exercise 3 days a week at least. I am 56-years-old."
Dr. Ramin Artang, Mercy Cardiology says, "The heart health will improve once you stop smoking, and the disease process will slow down. Your risk will still be higher if you had an identical twin sister who did not smoke for 42 years. But, it will be lower is you both smoked for 42 years, and you stop. but she didn't. The most important thing is not only stopping smoking, but changing lifestyle and increasing activity and exercise."
Aeja from Sioux City asks, "My husband had a bypass in July if 2011, now he is having high blood pressure once in a while. It's 115/110. Is this normal? Or, should we contact our doctor?"
Dr. Ramin Artang, Mercy Cardiology says, "Once they recover fully from bypass surgery, increased activity, or increased appetite, blood pressure might increase and the medication may need to be adjusted. So, it is common for me to see my patient coming 6 months later after bypass and have higher pressures. I usually adjust their medication accordingly, and they do just fine."
