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Heart Health

Choosing the most beneficial blood thinner

On call

June 1, 2024

By Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

close-up photo of a batch of pink pills on a piece of paper with the definition of warfarin printed on it

Q. There seem to be many options when a person needs a blood thinner. How do doctors decide?

A. "Blood thinners" don't actually make the blood less viscous. The term refers to medications that help prevent unwanted blood clots. The two main categories are anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs.

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About the Author

Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Howard LeWine is a practicing internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing, and editor in chief of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. See Full Bio

View all posts by Howard E. LeWine, MD

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