Heart beat: Trial gives nod to home warfarin monitoring

Heart beat

Trial gives nod to home warfarin monitoring

Warfarin (Coumadin, generic) is a Goldilocks drug. Take too little, and stroke-causing clots can form in the bloodstream. Take too much, and bleeding into the stomach or brain can occur. Getting the dose just right requires routine blood tests, which usually means schlepping to a doctor's office, clinic, or lab every month. Would weekly self-testing at home be better, the same, or worse than having it done "professionally?" That was the question The Home INR Study (THINRS) aimed to answer.

THINRS included nearly 3,000 veterans who were taking warfarin because they had a mechanical heart valve or atrial fibrillation. Half had a monthly blood test to check their international normalized ratio (INR), which measures how quickly the blood clots. The other half were given home INR meters and asked to test their blood once a week. After an average of three years, there were slightly fewer strokes, major bleeding episodes, or deaths in the home testing group. The home testers were in the right INR range more often than the clinic testers. They were also more satisfied with their monitoring. The results were presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

  • Research health conditions
  • Check your symptoms
  • Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
  • Find the best treatments and procedures for you
  • Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »

I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.

Sign Me Up

Already a member? Login ».

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.