![A person taking pills for atrial fibrillation](/files/Article/imglist/5b276742-2af8-4b7e-84f1-295025bbab96.png)
By Dr Carolyn Millar
18.06.18
Haematologist (Blood Specialist)
The end of blood tests? How DOACs are changing treatment for heart problems
If you’re living with a condition like atrial fibrillation or thrombosis, it’s likely that you’ve been prescribed warfarin to stop blood clotting. Warfarin was the only available oral blood thinning medication for over 50 years. In recent years, however, a new group of drugs called DOACs have been approved for use in the UK. These avoid the need for regular blood tests, while reducing your risk of major bleeding compared to warfarin. We spoke to leading consultant haematologist Dr Carolyn Millar to find out when a doctor should consider prescribing one of these new drugs.