Antiplatelet Drugs (or Blood Thinners); Eliminate or Reduce the Risk of Blood Clots
Antiplatelet drugs, also known as a platelet aggregation inhibitor or platelets agglutination inhibitors, is part of a large class of medicines that inhibit platelet aggregation and therefore reduce thrombus formation in the blood. They are highly effective in the heart artery, where most cardiovascular diseases are caused. These drugs are usually taken for short periods in order to prevent allergic reactions. They are available without a prescription in pharmacies in some countries. They should not be used for patients with bleeding disorders or in those who have a history of bleeding disorders. For breast cancer patients, an oral treatment is usually recommended, whereas a topical medication is recommended in cases of vaginal cancer.
Antiplatelet drugs are usually recommended for individuals who have very high blood pressure (hypertension). In order to obtain the full benefit of the medicine, it is recommended that the individual drug is taken on an as needed basis, as per the doctor’s instructions. If the individual drug does not work in checking the blood pressure, the doctor may change the dose or use a different drug. In order to control high blood pressure, it is also worth noting that this treatment will not prevent the recurrence of hypertension. However, an individual drug can help to keep the pressure at its optimal level, allowing for better control over blood pressure.
The primary function of the first antiplatelet drug is to stop or reduce the rate of thrombus formation in blood vessels (the thrombus is a solid matter that forms in blood vessels). To do this, the drug breaks up the platelets into smaller particles, or fibrin. The splitting of the platelets causes the released fibrin to adhere itself to the interior surface of the vessel, where it starts to calcify and eventually harden again. This process interrupts the blood flow through the vessel and reduces the blood flow. This reduced flow, together with reduced oxygenation, which leads to the reduction of the blood platelets and the low production of new platelets.
The demand for antiplatelet drugs is increasing with the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. According to the Robert Koch Institute, a German federal government agency, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Germany, causing a total of approximately 40% of all deaths.
