Stent Recovery

• Plavix is commonly given to patients recovering from stent surgery. It is considered an important part of their recovery. Stents are tubes placed in arteries to open previously blocked passages and to help prevent new obstructions from forming. The drug helps the blood thin and adapt to the new hardware installed in the body. It is recommended that Plavix be given to stent patients as a solo drug or in combination with aspirin from six months to up to three years after the initial surgery.
  
  

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

• Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, occurs when electrical impulses do not travel through the heart in a consistent manner, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. This causes blood to not travel in the upper chamber of the heart. Blood then can pool and form clots that travel to the brain, causing a stroke. The main treatment of this disorder historically has been the drug Warfarin, however it has harsh side effects and is difficult for some people to take. Plavix offers those sufferers an alternative. It works to prevent clots in much the same way as Warfarin and has an extremely high success rate for A-fib patients.
  
  

Asprin/Plavix Treatment

• Those prone to heart disease and/or strokes, or those having had these conditions in the past, sometimes are given low-dose aspirin as a preventative measure. It can help keep the blood running fast and smoothly. Plavix has added to the effectiveness of this treatment. Used by itself or in conjunction with aspirin, Plavix can increase a person's chances of preventing and surviving a heart attack and stroke.
  
  

Bleeding

• Increased instances of bleeding is associated with Plavix treatment. This may not be surprising, considering the drug is used to clear clots. However, bleeding with Plavix may be hidden and hard to recognize. Always report to your doctor any signs of dark or bloody urine, dark stool or unusual bruising.
  
  

Other Cons

• There are less significant side effects to taking Plavix. Always tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications and/or food as allergic reactions plague a small number of users. Diarrhea is another side effect that users may experience. For many people, this may occur at the beginning of treatment and lessen with time.