Why a "Stealth" Overtaking by a Biker is a Serious Safety Threat
A person taking a combination of Eliquis, Plavix, and aspirin faces a significantly increased risk of serious, prolonged bleeding from even minor trauma due to triple blood-thinning therapy.
While a 2 mph bump is low-impact, it could still cause severe bruising or internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical evaluation for any impact to the head or torso.
Bleeding Risk: The combination of an anticoagulant (Eliquis) and antiplatelets (Plavix and Aspirin) is potent, significantly reducing the blood's ability to clot.
Impact Trauma: Even minor, low-speed impacts can result in subcutaneous hematomas (large, deep bruises) that might not stop bleeding quickly.
Specific Dangers: The highest risk is internal bleeding (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage from a head bump) or organ damage.
Action Required: Any trauma, even if seemingly minor, should be reported to a doctor, and emergency care should be sought if there is any sign of significant swelling, dizziness, or confusion.
For a person who must take eliquis, plavix, and asprin for cardiovascular health. How much risk is there if a biker who is overtaking me as I walk at more than twice my walking speed of 2 miles an hour.
Taking Eliquis (apixaban), Plavix (clopidogrel), and aspirin simultaneously constitutes "triple therapy" (or dual antiplatelet + anticoagulant therapy), which significantly increases your bleeding risk. For an 82-year-old on this regimen, a collision with a bike, even at moderate speeds, poses a high risk of major injury, particularly internal bleeding.
Key Risk Factors
High Bleeding Risk: Combining an anticoagulant (Eliquis) with antiplatelet drugs (Plavix, Aspirin) dramatically increases the danger of internal bleeding (especially in the brain or gastrointestinal tract) following even minor trauma.
"Silent" Bleeds: A minor fall or impact on your medication regimen might not show immediate symptoms but could cause a dangerous delayed bleed in the brain, sometimes appearing hours or days later.
High-Speed Interaction: A biker traveling at 4+ mph (twice your 2 mph speed) causes a significant impact, especially for an 82-year-old, where the risk of injury is high.
What You Should Do
Treat All Impacts Seriously: If a bike brushes you, causes you to stumble, or if you fall, you must contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room immediately, even if you feel fine and do not see visible bleeding.
Inform Bystanders/Paramedics: Carry a list of your medications (Eliquis, Plavix, Aspirin) on your person at all times, so emergency personnel know immediately that you are on high-risk blood thinners.
Use Protections: Consider using walking aids (cane or walker) for better balance to prevent falls.
