 Recently, your doctor has prescribed a blood-thinning drug like Warfarin for you, and you probably have lots of questions. Well, sit back and relax as over the next few minutes, we'll attempt to address some of your concerns and answer many of the questions you may have about the drugs. We'll also introduce you to a strategy for incorporating your blood-thinner medication into your daily life. We refer to it as the B-E-S-T, or best strategy. So, you've recently been prescribed blood-thinner pills. Perhaps you've been wondering what these drugs do and why you need to take them. Starting on blood thinners may feel like getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. You may feel anxious, but rest assured that you are not alone. Each year, nearly two million people just like you start taking blood-thinner medicine. Now, let's talk about the drugs themselves. What are blood thinners? What do they do and why are they used? First, the drugs are referred to as anti-coagulants. This term can best be understood if we break it up into two parts. First, anti means against or to prevent. Second, coagulant refers to the process by which a substance, like your blood, forms a clot or a blockage. Blood clots are the clumps that occur when the blood hardens and changes from a liquid to a solid. Normally, clots develop to help stop bleeding after you've been cut or injured. If you've been cut, a clot will usually form that will help stop the bleeding. But, not all clots are desirable. Some clots can form inside your bloodstream. When this happens, the results can be dangerous to your health. So, blood-thinner pills, also known as anti-coagulants, work to help prevent your blood from clotting. This is important because your clinician believes that you are at risk for having a blood clot form in your bloodstream. If the clot breaks loose and gets stuck in a vital blood vessel, it can block the blood flow to important organs in your body, like the heart, brain, or lungs. If a blood clot travels to your heart, you can have a heart attack. If it travels to your brain, it can cause a stroke. If it goes to your lungs, it can cause what's known as a pulmonary embolism or blood clot in the lungs. All of these conditions are serious and can lead to death. So, taking a blood thinner can possibly save your life. There are several reasons why your clinician may have put you on a blood thinner. Some of the most common reasons are an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis or DVT, pulmonary embolism or PE, or because you've had recent surgery.