Anticoagulation Services
After you receive a prescription for a blood thinner, see a medical professional regularly for support to stay healthy. Your primary care doctor or cardiologist may manage your medication or refer you to an anticoagulation clinic with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute and its network of clinics. Expect to receive routine tests that check the amount of medicine in your blood and learn how to safely take your medicine, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Education: Take an Active Role in Your Health
Your doctor or anticoagulation clinic team will teach you about:
- Possible side effects, such as unusual bruising, bleeding gums or cuts that won’t stop bleeding
- Signs it’s time to seek emergency medical attention
- Ways to reduce the risk of injuries that could cause internal bleeding (which you can’t see) or external bleeding
- Medications and supplements to avoid
- Foods that affect how well your blood thinner works
If a loved one helps take care of you, invite that person to your anticoagulation appointments.
Blood Tests You Need
Your provider will tell you how often you need a blood test to measure prothrombin time, which shows how soon clots form. Lab professionals calculate your internal normalized ratio based on the test results — indicating your risk of bleeding or developing a clot. Your doctor uses this information to recommend changes to your medication dose or lifestyle, if needed.
At-Home Testing
Ask us about the option of home blood testing. Your care team will order the supplies and teach you how to use them. The technology may send test results to your doctor automatically, or you may need to call us with the results. This convenient option lets your provider monitor your health more often, improving your long-term outcome
Ask for a Referral
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute anticoagulation clinic in central or northern Illinois. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.