Elderly man died from nosebleeds after taking blood thinning medication - inquest told

AN elderly man who took blood thinning medication after suffering heart problems and strokes died after a severe nosebleed could not be stopped, an inquest was told.

Kenneth Hunt, 89, of Moat Bank, Winshill, had been taking the anti-coagulant warfarin after suffering heart problems and minor strokes.

In evidence read out at the inquest at Burton Town Hall, Mr Hunt’s son, Peter, said his father had also worked in the tile manufacturing industry where he had come into contact with asbestos.

He said: “He had a number of minor strokes and more recently he experienced breathing problems and heart difficulties.

“His prognosis was poor and his condition was unlikely to improve so the decision was made to bring him home to be cared for his family.”

Dr David Dickinson, Mr Hunt’s GP, said in evidence read out to the inquest, that he diagnosed Mr Hunt with signs of cardiac failure.

Mr Hunt was admitted to Queen’s Hospital, Burton, on January 29 after his family were unable to stem a further nosebleed. His condition deteriorated and he died the same day.

Dr Peter Acland, who carried out the post-mortem examination on Mr Hunt, said he found pleural plaques, which are associated with asbestos exposure, as well as a completely blocked artery.

“My information is that he came in with a nosebleed that was very difficult to stop. But he could have died at any time,” Dr Acland said.

“Unfortunately he seems to have had a large one and that tipped the balance with his heart problems.”

Recording a narrative verdict, deputy South Staffordshire coroner Margaret Jones, said: “He had nose bleeds and they were made worse by the treatment.

“He could not manage without that treatment but towards the end of his life he was very frail and suffered from nose bleeds.

“On the balance of probabilities the warfarin treatment did make a contribution to his death.”

This article is courtesy of the Burton Mail.