Does the use of Warfarin cause the ankles to swell ?
The idea that Warfarin makes your blood “thinner” is a misnomer. Your blood viscosity (relative thickness) is no different taking Warfarin verses not taking Warfarin. Warfarin does interrupt the process of blood going from a liquid to a solid if the right conditions exist. Given the physiology of how Warfarin works, it does not make sense that it would contribute to ankle swelling late in the day. This is either venous insufficiency (the little one-way doors in your veins do not work any longer) or your heart failing to push blood with enough vigor to get it back to the heart. Due to gravity then blood pools around your ankles late in the day. This may be a sign that you are in early decompensated congestive heart failure. Usually a diuretic (water pill) or increased dose of water pill is necessary to correct the problem. Discuss this with your doctor’s office on Monday morning. I wouldn’t think this was due to a DVT because if it were, then it would be happening only in one leg. It al
