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Medication overdose for heart patients
Anticoagulants are drugs commonly given to people presenting to hospital with symptoms due to heart disease, however recent data shows that these medications are often given in large doses, which can cause bleeding problems. Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, include heparin and warfarin, are used to reduce the immediate risk of the heart being starved of blood due to blood clots. The risk of overdose is increased by low body weight, female gender, older age and co-morbid kidney disease. Bleeding due to overdose can occur in the stomach due to ulcers, breaks in the skin i.e. needle access, and the brain, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. People who suffer complications of overdoses are more likely to have an adverse hospital admission with longer stays and death.
Source: summary of medical news story as reported by USA Today.com
Related Disease Topics:
- Heart disease
- Bleeding problems
- Kidney disease
- Ulcers
- Hemorrhagic stroke (type of Stroke)
Article Source Details
About: Medication overdose for heart patients
Date: 27 December 2005
Source: USA Today.com
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