Should I worry about a mild head bump while on Warfarin?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am on warfarin for life. Yesterday, while I was working at home, I knocked the upper back part of my head on the marble roof of the windowpane. It was neither a hard blow nor a soft one. It was medium. I did not feel any pain. I did not have any blackout but was stunned for two to three seconds.

Today, my INR came as 3.73. I do not have any headaches.

My question is, will I have a stroke?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Firstly, I would like to know the indication for which you were prescribed Warfarin.

Secondly, 3.73 is a higher INR (international normalized ratio) than normally desired, which usually is between 2 and 2.5 or 2.5 and 3 according to indications, in most cases.

Now, considering the injury, two places where the chances of bleeding are higher in your case are, under the skin or inside the skull (in or around the brain).

As you have not mentioned any swelling under the skin of the head, at the site of injury, there is no bleeding under the skin, which is also called subgaleal hemorrhage.

You do not have headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, visual blurring or any other symptom to suggest intracranial bleeding in or around the brain.

So, I think you should not worry at present about a stroke or bleeding. But, in case if you develop any of these symptoms, get yourself scanned.

Considering the warfarin dose, it needs to be adjusted. So, consult your treating doctor regarding that.

For more information consult a general surgeon online.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Then, I suggest you consult your doctor to get the dose of Warfarin adjusted to get the INR below 3.

For more information, consult a general surgeon online.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.