Hi, I wondered if anyone has experience with anticoagulants? My dad has vascular dementia, and over 10 years ago had a major heart operation including valve replacement. Since then he's had atrial fibrillation. His new doctor has offered him one of the new types of anticoagulants (not warfarin), since dad is only on aspirin as a blood thinner at the moment. Because of dad's dementia, I'm the one expected to make the yay or nay decision :-/.
It seems like a big step given the risks (excessive bleeding etc) but the alternative might be a massive stroke. Dad's 87 and already had a serious fall which was probably stroke related, and if he'd been on anticoagulants at the time it would likely have been fatal.
The phrase 'between a rock and hard place' springs to mind! Any thoughts?
Thanks!
It seems like a big step given the risks (excessive bleeding etc) but the alternative might be a massive stroke. Dad's 87 and already had a serious fall which was probably stroke related, and if he'd been on anticoagulants at the time it would likely have been fatal.
The phrase 'between a rock and hard place' springs to mind! Any thoughts?
Thanks!