About this topic
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or HIT happens when your body has a bad reaction to the drug heparin. Heparin is a drug used to stop platelets from sticking to each other and forming a clot. It is used to help stop strokes, heart attacks, or blood clots in your lungs or legs. With HIT, the heparin causes the platelets in your blood to be more likely to stick together. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Ask your doctor before you take any new drugs.
- Tell all your doctors and dentists that you had this health problem with heparin, so they do not give you heparin.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may want you to get a blood test. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Give you an alternative drug for the heparin, if needed
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. You may not be able to certain contact sports, like football. This could raise your risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
Blood clots ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
List heparin as an allergy on your medical record. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever, chills
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Pain or swelling in an arm or leg
- Headache
- Change in vision, balance, or being able to walk or talk
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a headache or change in eyesight, balance, or being able to walk or talk.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/thcp/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚