Healthy blood flow ensures good functioning of our heart and brain. When that flow is disrupted, during a heart attack or stroke, for example, it can have life-changing, even deadly, results. And that is why stopping these events is the priority for all at risk. A primary treatment used to minimise this risk is antiplatelet medications. These medicines help to prevent blood clotting in your arteries.
Blood clots are formed when platelets—small cell fragments found within the blood—adhere to each other. This process is necessary to stop bleeding during a cut or injury, but it can turn deadly when clots begin to develop in blood vessels spontaneously. They can dislodge and move and block blood flow to arteries in the heart or brain. Ecosprin AV 75 Antiplatelets (gelatinous anti-clotting medicines) are used early in cardiovascular disease, stroke or diabetes patients to prevent and build up of blood clot formation.
What are Antiplatelet medicines?
Antiplatelets are a distinct choice of medication that inhibits platelets from clumping together. Sticky platelets create clots that can block arteries. Antiplatelet medicines help decrease this stickiness, permitting blood to flow more freely. These medications are particularly essential in those with:
- Coronary artery disease
- Having previously had a heart attack or stroke
- Angina (chest pain)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Previous stent placement or bypass surgery
Antiplatelet medications are distinct from blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin. Both medication classes decrease clot formation, but antiplatelets work on platelets and anticoagulants work on clotting proteins in the blood.
Common Antiplatelet Medicines
Some of the most frequently used antiplatelet medicines include:
- Aspirin (low-dose): decreases inflammation and makes platelets less sticky
- Clopidogrel: Stops certain receptors on platelets to prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Similar Combination medicines: Ecosprin AV 75 is a combination of aspirin and atorvastatin to lower both clotting and cholesterol
How Do They Help?
Here is how antiplatelet medications reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes:
- It keeps blood flowing through arteries: This lowers the risk a clot will quickly cut off blood to the heart or brain.
- Holding stents and grafts open: After heart surgery or placement of stents blood clots can begin to form at the area after it has been treated. Now, blood needs to flow freely to prevent clots from forming, and for that, the antiplatelets play a role in keeping the blood flowing.
- Decrease in inflammation: Especially aspirin has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of arteries).
These medicines prevent platelets from clumping together inappropriately, ensuring good blood flow and protecting the organs from injury.
Antiplatelet therapy: Who needs it?
Antiplatelet therapy may be prescribed by the doctors for various conditions, including:
- Following a heart attack or stroke
- After you receive a stent put in your arteries
- If you have a high CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk
- Your diabetes, as well as more risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol)
Aspirin therapy in individuals without a personal history of heart disease should be approached with caution, as it may do more harm than good.
Possible Side Effects
As with all medicines antiplatelet medicines can have side effects. The most common ones include:
- Stomach upset
- Heartburn or nausea
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
- Higher likelihood of internal haemorrhage
Some people bleed a lot, especially if they are taking blood thinners or have had ulcers. Contact your physician straight away if you notice uncommon bleeding and any indicators of stomach ache, black stools, or vomit blood.
How to take Antiplatelets safely?
Here are some tips to maximise benefits and minimise problems:
- Do it simultaneously every day, maintaining steady levels of medicine in your system.
- Do not miss doses, missing doses raises your chance of developing a clot.
- Do not coadminister with NSAIDS such as ibuprofen. This may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
- Inform all your doctors and dentists. Given the bleeding risk, this is important prior to surgery or dental work.
- Take with food if recommended. This may help decrease gastric irritation.
- Regular follow-ups, as well as routine blood tests, if needed, are also essential.
Lifestyle Changes That Complement Your Medication
Antiplatelets are great agents, yet their effect is maximised when combined with good practice. Here’s what you can do:
- Go for a whole lot of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats to have a healthy heart eating plan
- At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on the majority of days.
- Stop smoking, it harms blood vessels and increases the likelihood of clots.
- Long-term stress can adversely affect the heart. Try deep breathing, meditation, or any relaxation exercise.
- Have your blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol under control.
These modifications complement the effect of your medication and decrease your entire cardiovascular risk.
Final Thoughts
Heart attacks and strokes are sudden and serious, but so many are avoidable. This prevention plan uses antiplatelet medications as its mainstay, especially if you have had a cardiovascular event or have a high risk of getting one. They prevent platelets from forming clots that can dangerously block your heart or brain.
Atorzux AV 75 Capsule is a medication you are on if your doctor has prescribed you a combination of an antiplatelet (aspirin) and a statin (atorvastatin). This dual-action capsule protects you against clotting and cholesterol lowering, working to protect you against heart disease. You can also decrease your risk of having another heart attack or stroke in the future dramatically with it if you use it exactly as directed and live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
