Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I’m a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients.

In this podcast, Doctor Warwick Bishop discusses blood thinners, including anti-platelet agents and anticoagulants.

Anti-platelet agents are critical in managing atherosclerosis, and patients with ischemic heart disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease require some sort of anti-platelet therapy. In the setting of cardiac disease, individuals who need a stent will require two anti-platelet agents for a period of time. The nuances of that implantation may determine the recommendation for dual anti-platelet therapy.

Warfarin is an old anticoagulant that is still used in certain situations, such as rheumatic heart disease and mechanical valves. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are beneficial for the management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism.

Stopping dual anti-platelet therapy or anticoagulants prior to surgery requires a conversation with the patient, the cardiologist who commenced the anticoagulant regime, and the surgeon. It is important to discuss the risks of bleeding related to surgery and the risk of clot forming if stopping the anticoagulant. Patients should not stop anticoagulants without deferring to someone who knows the risks inherent with stopping that anticoagulation.

• Heart disease is a major issue in Australia, with someone suffering a heart attack every 20 minutes.
• Blood thinners are used to keep platelets less sticky and prevent clot formation.
• Anti-platelet agents and anticoagulants are critical in the management of atherosclerosis.
• Patients with ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease require some sort of anti-platelet therapy.
• Patients who need a stent require dual anti-platelet therapy for a period of time.
• The nuances of stent implantation may determine the recommendation for dual anti-platelet therapy.
• Warfarin is still used in certain situations where it outperforms non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants.
• Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants are beneficial for the management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism.
• Stopping dual anti-platelet therapy or anticoagulant therapy prior to surgery needs to be guided by the individual who put the stent in or the cardiologist who's responsible for the patient.
• Patients need to have a discussion about the risks of bleeding related to surgery and the risk of clot forming if stopping the anticoagulant.

Australia, like the rest of the western world, has a heart problem.

Over 9 million people around the world die from heart disease every year.

Every 10 minutes, someone in Australia suffers a heart attack. And 21 lives are lost daily because of it.

The devastating fact in all of this is… 

Almost every one of those cases could have been prevented. 

This podcast is for anyone who wants to improve their health literacy and gain information to help them make the best decisions about their risk of heart attack, their cholesterol, blood pressure, risk of diabetes, weight loss and general health. Join me on my personal mission journey to prevent Heart Attack on a global scale. If you like this podcast, I would be honoured by a 5-star review and appreciate if you let your friends and family know about this podcast; you may even save the life of someone you love!

Are You at Risk of a Sudden Heart Attack? How Healthy is Your Heart? Really?

Heart disease is the #1 killer in the Western World. In Australia, someone dies every 28 minutes from heart disease. That’s 51 people a day. In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 SECONDS! Fortunately, many heart attacks are preventable. However, regular exercise and eating healthy are no guarantee you won’t succumb to this silent killer.

• 94% of Australians have at least One Risk Factor for heart disease.
•  59% of Australians have been Touched by heart disease.
•  Yet only 3% of Australians have had a Full Heart-Health Assessment in the past 12 months.

Do the free heart check today at www.virtualheartcheck.com.au

Join the Healthy Heart Network and become part of our growing community!

Do You Want to Improve Your Heart’s Health and Reduce Your Risk of Suffering a Heart Attack? Join The Healthy Heart Network For Only $5 Lifetime Access (Valued at over $55)!

The Healthy Heart Network is designed to help members:

• understand the present state of their heart’s health
• recognise their current level of risk of suffering a heart attack
• Learn the positive steps they can take to improve their situation

Visit https://healthyheartnetwork.com/ and click on the JOIN THE FAMILY BUTTON