What action should a patient take if they notice signs of bleeding while on anticoagulants?

When a patient is on anticoagulants, they must be vigilant about any signs of bleeding, as these medications increase the risk of bleeding due to their blood-thinning effects. Noticing signs of bleeding, such as unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, or prolonged bleeding from cuts, is a significant indication that the patient should take action.

Reporting symptoms immediately to their healthcare provider is crucial because the healthcare provider may need to assess the patient's condition, adjust the anticoagulant dosage, or consider other interventions to ensure the patient's safety. Prompt reporting can help prevent more severe complications that may arise from uncontrolled bleeding.

Ignoring the symptoms could lead to serious consequences, including significant blood loss or even life-threatening situations. The choices of only taking over-the-counter medication or switching to a different medication without professional guidance could also be dangerous, as these actions might not address the underlying issue or could complicate the patient's current treatment plan.