Breaking News: Heart Attacks and Strokes are linked to Stress

17 January 2017 -   It may seem like stating the obvious that there is a link between stress and heart attack or strokes.  However, the reason for this has remained a mystery - until now! New research, published in The Lancet, suggests a group of scientists have...

Have you been stung by a wasp while on Warfarin?

10 August 2016 -   The recent prolonged spell of warm weather and sunshine we have been experiencing in the UK has been wonderful. However, there have been an awful lot of wasps around for the time of year and last week I got stung! This is the first time I have been...

Warfarin and Vitamin K: New Book Out Now

October 5, 2016

My new book ‘Warfarin and the effects of Vitamin K and Protein’ is now available. The eagerly anticipated next chapter in my journey as a warfarin user is out now. In this new book I explore Warfarin and Vitamin K interactions and the effect of high protein diets on...

Pioneering new treatment of acute stroke patients

8 September 2016 -   A pioneering new treatment of acute stroke patients is being trialed around the world.  People are being treated with a high tech 'cooling' bodysuit as part of their early stage treatment after suffering a stroke.  The suit is being used alongside...

INR stability unachievable for most patients?

17 August 2016 -   Achieving long term INR stability may be harder than we thought. Duke University have carried out a study involving people who have been on warfarin long term.  This suggests that as few as a third of those taking the drug will have continuous INR...

Stroke survival chances boosted by taking aspirin or warfarin

10 August 2016 -   Stroke survival chances can be boosted by taking aspirin or warfarin.  A study by Aberdeen University has found that the chance of surviving, and recovering, from a stroke can be greatly enhanced.   People who were taking aspirin or warfarin prior...

At risk of DVT? – you can still enjoy travel!

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is caused by blood clots forming, normally in the larger veins of the leg. During daily activity, our calf muscles contract as we move around. This helps to keep our blood flowing and works to prevent clots from forming. Regular activity is...

Just what is a Mechanical Heart Valve?

Your heart has four chambers that ensure blood is continually pumped to your lungs to be oxygenated and then sent around your body. Each chamber contains a valve that lets blood flow forwards and prevents it from flowing back into the previous chamber. These valves...

The History of Warfarin

The discovery of Warfarin was made by chance, much in the way Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. In the early 1920s, an unusual outbreak occurred in the USA and Canada. Cattle were found to be bleeding to death following only minor trauma or after relatively...

3 Quick Tips from Cath

TIP 1 – Watch Your pH. Warfarin is an acidic medication so you should aim to include plenty of alkaline forming food and drinks in your diet to balance your pH. Alkaline forming foods are things that we eat which will cause our cells to produce alkaline in the blood...