What is the primary action of anticoagulants?

The primary action of anticoagulants is to prevent blood clot formation. Anticoagulants work by interfering with the clotting process, which is essential for the formation of blood clots. They do this by inhibiting various factors within the coagulation cascade, which ultimately helps to prevent the initial development of clots that could lead to conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or stroke.

Anticoagulants are not designed to dissolve existing clots; that is the role of thrombolytics. They also do not increase platelet counts or reduce blood viscosity; these actions are associated with different pharmacological agents. The focus of anticoagulant therapy is on prevention, making these medications critical for patients at high risk of thrombotic events.