What is INR and why is it important?
Monitoring is usually done by checking a person’s INR. INR is the standard unit for reporting the clotting time of blood. A common target INR level for a person taking anticoagulants is 2.0 to 3.0, though it can vary from one individual to another, and should be determined by a physician. In general, the higher the number, the longer it takes the blood to clot. The target set by a physician for an individual patient is also called the therapeutic INR range, and is dependent upon the condition being treated and the risk of clot formation. However, no matter what range is prescribed, staying in this range is very important to avoid serious complications, including stroke, blood clots and hemorrhaging. The anticoagulant dosage, determined by the doctor, may also vary over time. Maintaining the proper range is difficult for some patients, since many factors can cause levels to quickly rise or fall. Frequent and consistent testing is required in order to make proper adjustments to maintain
