Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Advisable To Stop Plavix After A Year Of Suffering From Heart Attack?
Question: three years ago I had 3 stints at the VA.(I did not have a heart attack 99% blocked) The next day my Heart Doctor who was treating me in the Hospital came to see me and said Mr Salin in 1 year they will want you off Effient don't ever let them take you off. I'm a Nurse and asked why? He said the length of stint R CAR (70%)3.0mm x24mm and a 2.25mm x 20 endeavor and ION. Left LAD(99%) 3.0mm x18mm endeavor. VA changed me to Plavix 2 years ago. Every Doctor now says I can come off the Plavix. But when I tell them about what the heart Doctor said they waffle. I carry the report where Doctor recommended 12 months or longer for Plavix. I have no side effects from Plavix. No brusing or bleeding. I'm 66 and do 30 min on treadmill 2 miles most days. I'm afraid I will have a heart attack if I stop Plavix? One blockage was 99%.( I did not have a heart attack.) XXXXXXX
I just want to kept taking Plavix, but are the side effects worse than the cure? My labs Colesterol are all excellent. Feel great never had to take a Nitro pill or had and chest pains. Passed a stress test.
I just want to kept taking Plavix, but are the side effects worse than the cure? My labs Colesterol are all excellent. Feel great never had to take a Nitro pill or had and chest pains. Passed a stress test.
Brief Answer:
Plavix is not necessary afer 12 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for your question on HCM! Regarding your concern I would like to explain that Plavix exerts its major effect in the first months after stent implantations protecting (together with Aspirin) from stent thrombosis. Its continued use is mandatory for 12 months (if no contraindications exist). After that period tge rare of stent thrombosis is very low, as stent surface has been endothelised. So Plavix is not necessary after that. You have to continue with Aspirin. You should not be affraid to stop Plavix. After the first months as the rate of stent thrombosis becomes low exists the risk of late stent stenosis, but Plavix doesn't protect against that. Nevertheless drug eeluting stents have a lower rate of late stenosis compared with bare metal stents. Continuing Plavix after 12 months doesn't protect any more than single aspirin, and may impose to greater risk of bleeding. It may be continued, but you should be careful.
Hope to have been helpful to you! Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Best wishes from Dr. Iliri.!
Plavix is not necessary afer 12 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for your question on HCM! Regarding your concern I would like to explain that Plavix exerts its major effect in the first months after stent implantations protecting (together with Aspirin) from stent thrombosis. Its continued use is mandatory for 12 months (if no contraindications exist). After that period tge rare of stent thrombosis is very low, as stent surface has been endothelised. So Plavix is not necessary after that. You have to continue with Aspirin. You should not be affraid to stop Plavix. After the first months as the rate of stent thrombosis becomes low exists the risk of late stent stenosis, but Plavix doesn't protect against that. Nevertheless drug eeluting stents have a lower rate of late stenosis compared with bare metal stents. Continuing Plavix after 12 months doesn't protect any more than single aspirin, and may impose to greater risk of bleeding. It may be continued, but you should be careful.
Hope to have been helpful to you! Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Best wishes from Dr. Iliri.!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
