Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

bump on the head and blood thinner

July 16, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello, I have another question regarding my previous inquiry about the impact on the head and the injection of Arixtra. It seems that on the internet one can always find frightening statements like this one:

"After a mild (!) blow or impact, the likelihood of a brain hemorrhage in a healthy (!) person is very low. However, in older and sick people and/or with medication intake (especially blood thinners!), a brain hemorrhage can be triggered even with minor injuries."

Is there any truth to this? I am also quite young (24 years old).

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello,

I have read your preliminary question and the answers of my colleague.

I would like to clarify the probabilities with an example. When you buy a ticket for a large lottery, it is possible, albeit unlikely (less than 1%), that you will win a million. Is there any truth to this statement? Yes, it happens 100% of the time. Is this statement now frightening for everyone who has bought a ticket? Do they need to take action now if they have bought a ticket? Schedule a meeting with a bank advisor for investment of the money, opening savings accounts, or looking for a property? No, because you have drawn a blank over 99% of the time.

Regarding your case: Of course, when you reduce blood thinning through medication, you can easily get bleeding. If these occur in the head, they can be dangerous if a lot of blood is released. However, the likelihood that a "normal" head bump will lead to an artery rupture is not greater. Since you were not unconscious, nor do you have any other complaints, and as my colleague mentioned, your head and bucket were able to avoid the impact, do not worry. If I understand correctly, you did not receive any injuries (laceration, concussion) from hitting your head.

There are many people who have to take much stronger blood thinners in the long term. Of course, you should be careful not to bump your head, but it still happens several hundred times a day. It is fortunate that in the rarest of cases, this leads to a brain hemorrhage.

I hope you can see the situation rationally, and remember, you are still young and should not have such fragile blood vessels. I wish you a restful evening. Best regards, R. Berg