The graph produced by recording the changes in electricity that occur during a heart beat. Used to diagnose problems with the way the heart is working.

An abnormal particle (such as an air bubble or blood clot) circulating in the blood. Plural: emboli

A low-molecular weight heparin given as once or twice daily injections. Can be used at the beginning of warfarin therapy or alone to treat or prevent clotting problems, especially after surgery and in people who are bedridden for a long time. Has immediate anticoagulant action (compared to warfarin which takes a few days to have an effect).

A genetic condition where a person has a different sort of clotting factor V to normal.  This condition increases the risk of forming an unneeded blood clot.

Tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance. Often refers to an increased chance of getting a disease or problem because of something genetic carried in the family.

Very rapid irregular contractions of the muscles of the heart resulting in the heartbeat and the pulse being out of rhythm with each other.

Part of the blood which is separated from blood donations. Plasma contains many important substances, including clotting factors. It is used in people with INRs much higher than their target INR range to help bring the INR down quickly.

A genetic disorder is an inherited disorder, passed down from parents to children.

A lot of blood loss from the body. Often refers to losing a lot of blood from vessels inside the body e.g. gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage is when a blood vessel supplying the stomach or intestines is damaged and a lot of blood is lost into the stomach.

Where there is insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle that causes chest pain and death or damage of heart muscle.

This requires open heart surgery to replace valves of the heart that are no longer working efficiently with either biological or mechanical heart valves.

An anticoagulant medicine that is administered by injection. Can be used at the beginning of warfarin therapy or alone to treat or prevent clotting problems, especially after surgery and in people who are bedridden for a long time. Has immediate anticoagulant action (compared to warfarin which takes a few days to have an effect).

Disease of unknown cause.

One of the portable INR monitors available in Australia. http://hemosense.com/patient/inratio.shtml

In pharmacology: The effect of two or more drugs acting on each other.

The blood test used to measure how fast someone's blood clots compared to normal. Used to measure how well warfarin is working and to decide if the warfarin dose needs changing.

Occurs when there is not enough blood flow to a body part (such as the heart or brain) that is due to a blockage of the vessel carrying blood to the area.

One of the brands of clopidogrel available in Australia.

A brand of warfarin available overseas.

A vitamin used by the body to produce clotting factors. Warfarin interferes with the way the body uses vitamin K. If someone's INR is above their target INR range, vitamin K will sometimes be given to help the body bring the INR down to a safer level.

A brand of vitamin K available in Australia. Available as a tablet and an injection. Vitamin K may be given if someone's INR is too far above the target INR range to help the body making more clotting substances.