Anticoagulants: How can you prevent bleeding?

Alcohol can affect your blood's clotting ability and increase the risk of bleeding. So it’s best to avoid it completely or only drink small amounts. High blood pressure also increases the risk of bleeding so it’s important to get proper treatment for that if you have it.

Physical activity and sports do not directly affect blood clotting. But the risk of injury is higher in some sports, which means the risk of bleeding is higher too. So it’s worth considering doing sports that don’t have such a high risk of injury.

As a general rule, the more medications you take, the higher the risk of side effects and interactions between them. Because of this, it makes sense to draw up a medication schedule and discuss it with your doctor on a regular basis.

The signs can differ greatly, depending on where the bleeding occurs. Light nosebleeds, gum bleeding or bruises on the skin are generally not a problem. But heavier bleeding has to be treated quickly.

It is important to consult a doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Heavy, persistent bleeding from the nose or gums
• Major bruising
• Red urine
• Blood in your stool (dark red or black stool)
• Blood in vomit

In very rare cases, anticoagulants can cause bleeding in the brain (brain hemorrhage). Then it’s important to react quickly and call the emergency services right away (112 in Germany and many other countries, 911 in the U.S.) – as you would for a stroke. Symptoms include:

• Severe, sudden headache
• Vision problems, feeling faint, signs of paralysis or numbness
• Confusion or slowed-down responses
• Seizures

If you’re due to have major surgery or another procedure (a gastroscopy, for example), you might have to stop taking your anticoagulants or adjust the dosage a few days beforehand. So it’s important to tell the doctor that you're taking anticoagulants in plenty of time before the procedure. It can also be helpful to show them your medical ID card.

You don’t necessarily have to stop taking the medication if you’re having a more minor procedure or dental treatment. But even then it’s better to let your doctor know beforehand that you take anticoagulants. That gives the doctor the chance to prepare in case any problems do occur during the treatment. You should also tell them before you have any injections or vaccinations. This is because, for example, an injection into a muscle could cause more severe bleeding if you’re using anticoagulants.