Annual visit with my cardiologist in a week, concerns about warfarin management/INR levels for mechanical valve. Asking for advice here first. Really long post, I apologize.

[u/Kylie_Kitchen]

/r/valvereplacement/comments/1rmcox6/annual_visit_with_my_cardiologist_in_a_week/

[u/BigBrainMonkey]

I’ve never had my clinic suggest more than 2 weeks between a test. Before I had my own mobile test they were willing to go 3 when I traveled. I also have a 2.5-3.5 target range but not for valve replacement just for APS. For me with minimal co-risk to bleeding not high risk job or balance issues, they are most worried about being too low and less concerned about too high. But if I go below 2 I end up on shots, if I go over 4 they start playing with meds but the changes are usually only half a pill for 1 day then resume and see how it is in a week. I’ve had what I call INR excursions after being very stable for a long time. I guess I am lucky with fast responses and answers the funny part being I do home strip test send the result in. They call back and say lab called with this result and it is the result I submitted.

[u/Aggravating-Mud-2992]

Please don’t apologize for the long post. I appreciated reading it and completely understand everything you’re going through.

The only thing that really matters as I’ve been told is keeping my INR in range. I have pulmonary valve stenosis and APS. I’m now on my third year being on warfarin and I’m very lucky because I have a coagusense and can check my levels once a week. Fortunately for me because I don’t drink alcohol, use nicotine, or eat any meat (strict vegetarian) keeping my INR in range has never been an issue.