Final answer:
Heparin is an anticoagulant that can help prevent the development of clots in the coronary arteries. It inhibits clotting factors and opposes prothrombin, preventing clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. Heparin is often prescribed to prevent first or recurrent strokes in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heparin is an anticoagulant that can help prevent the development of clots in the coronary arteries. When there is plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries, it can reduce blood flow to the cardiac muscle cells, leading to ischemia and insufficient oxygen delivery. By inhibiting clotting factors and opposing prothrombin, heparin can prevent clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. It is often prescribed to prevent first or recurrent strokes in patients with cardiovascular diseases.