I know someone that had a mitral valve replaced because of leakage. She is now taking Coumadin and was told?… by workmansh
she could not have some dark green vegetables or Vitamin K by the doctor . She likes to eat healthy foods so this makes planning meals a little more difficult. Has anybody else had this experience or know anything about this drug..?
She wants to know the reason that she was taken off of baby aspirin and put on Coumadin.
She wants to know the reason that she was taken off of baby aspirin and put on Coumadin.
Best Answer:
Patients with mechanical mitral valves (vs. bioprosthetic) need life-long anticoagulation because they may have a high rate of red blood cell destruction due to valve-blood interactions. Aspirin alone is not enough. Patients with bioprosthetic valves (tissue valves) generally do not need warfarin (Coumadin).
Warfarin works by preventing the body from turning vitamin K into various clotting factors. Its effectiveness is measured by an INR. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables. As a result, eating a diet high in vitamin K may make the warfarin less effective, requiring a higher dose.
However, contrary to most doctor's beliefs, patients should NOT completely avoid eating vitamin K sources when on warfarin. It is true that patients with low vitamin K intake need lower Coumadin doses to achieve a therapeutic INR. However, they are more likely to have an unstable INR, spend less time in a therapeutic INR range, and at higher risk for complications due to a very high INR (bleeding) or very low INR (clotting, red blood cell destruction). Patients should continue to eat regular, small amounts and avoid large meals of these vegetables. A 1/2 cup of spinach is enough to alter your INR. In fact, there is even evidence that regular supplementation with vitamin K can improve INR stability.
You or your acquaintance should discuss her concerns with her physician.
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