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clots in heart

is it fatal? What's treatment


This discussion is related to How dangerous is a blood clot in the heart?.
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144586 tn?1284666164
The word "thinner" is meaningless. The drugs in no way "thin" the blood. Instead they prevent cells from agregating into masses - i.e. "clotting". Clots originating in the heart are always dangerous. Often they are caused by bacterial infections on a heart valve. The bacterial debri is thrown off and becomes a focus for the development of a clot. These travel through the arfterioles and into the microcirculation, where they may stop up blood flow and nutrition causing cell death.  This necessitates a pig-valve replacement. So the answer to your question depends upon the etiology, or the causitive reason for the clots. Bacterial infections on the heart are diagnosed with a two part ultrasound. One part involves an external paddle. The other a probe that is swallowed. One option when clots are thrown from the heart is a filter that is surgically implanted in a major blood vessel. Atrial fibrillation, which can cause clots, may have to be treated with ablation, but sometimes a simple magnesium supplement will resolve the problem. There are alternative protocols to the use of coumadin, including use of aspirin, which isn't nearly as effective. Coumadin, however is the so-called "standard of care", and a physician in the United States will not suggest an alternative unless you use the magic words "I'd really like you to tell me about alternatives".
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11548417 tn?1506080564
sorry for the double posting. The server is sometimes so very slow.
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11548417 tn?1506080564
No, not necessarily fatal, but it can be.
The blood clots can travel from the heart through the body and get stuck in the lungs,brain etc. and cause serious trouble there (even stroke).

Therefore it is important that these blood clots do not form.
This can be achieved by anticoagulation medication (blood thinners),
Catheter ablation to prevent atrial fibrillation,
life style and diet changes to prevent atrial fibrillation

.
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11548417 tn?1506080564
Blood clots often form in the atria of the heart.
When the atria of the heart beat improperly (fibrillation) , blood doesn’t flow properly through your heart. This can cause blood to pool in your heart’s chambers, possibly resulting in blood clots.
These blood clots are not necessary deadly, but they can be. They can travel through the body and cause problems.
For example, a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke, damage to brain cells, or permanent damage to your brain.

Treatment can be blood thinners (anticoagulation) to avoid the forming of clots while the fibrillation still exists, and/or treatment to get rid of the fibrillation (catheter ablation) , and/or diet and lifestyle changes to suppress the fibrillations.
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