Blood Thinners and Falls in Elderly Adults

Blood thinners are a relatively common medication prescribed mainly to people who have experienced a blood clot or are at risk for it. Patients who have had a stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) often also take blood thinners. 

Blood thinners are anticoagulants that stop the blood from clotting. This makes any sort of trauma or fall while taking blood thinners particularly dangerous. Falls on blood thinners can be deadly due to internal bleeding a patient may not even realize is happening, so they must be taken very seriously. 

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What To Do If You Fall While on Blood Thinners

Falling on blood thinners should always be taken seriously. Harvard Health makes these suggestions to take care of minor cuts after a fall:

• Hold the wound under running water to remove debris. Gently cleaning with soap and water is also helpful. Using hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound is not recommended since it is abrasive and can actually slow down the healing process.
• Apply pressure to the wound – more than you think you need. If any blood leaks out, there is not enough pressure. You can use a clean cloth, tissue, gauze, or even just your fingers (if they are clean). 
• If the wound is on a limb, raise it above your head – or at the very least above your heart – so gravity can help keep the blood inside your body. Do this while still keeping pressure on the wound. 
• Once the bleeding stops, cover the wound with a bandage. Keep in mind that it takes longer than you think it should for the bleeding to stop. If, for example, you cut your finger and it begins to turn blue due to your keeping pressure on it, keep that pressure on the wound. After ten to fifteen minutes, if the wound is still bleeding, contact a medical professional like your doctor, or head to an urgent care. 

Serious injuries that gush blood or those that do not stop bleeding after ten or fifteen minutes may require a trip to the emergency room. Remember, falls and blood thinners are a dangerous combination and you may not even know something is wrong. This is especially true if you hit your head when you fall. After a fall, contact emergency medical services if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness
• Any neurological changes like headaches, dizziness, or having trouble getting the right words to come out
• Difficulty walking
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Intense abdomen pain

Let emergency services know you are on blood thinners right away. If you hit your head or face, check in with a medical professional after your fall, even if you feel fine. 

When it comes to blood thinners and falls, the best defense is a good offense. In other words, focus on preventing falls. Ways to prevent falls include:

• Using mobility aids like a walker or cane
• Remove or tape down throw rugs and make sure no cords are crossing paths where you frequently walk
• Use handrails going up and down the stairs and install railings in the bathroom for extra support
• Wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping
• Keep staircases, hallways, and other walking paths well-lit at night

Blood thinners are safe and effective but do require some extra monitoring when you or a loved one are taking them. When it comes to falling while on blood thinners, there is no such thing as an overreaction – if you have any concerns at all, always get checked by a medical professional. 

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