Final answer:
People with mechanical heart valves need long-term medication to prevent clots and reduce the risk of endocarditis. Warfarin or other anticoagulants are often prescribed for this purpose, along with antibiotics like amoxicillin for endocarditis prevention during certain dental procedures, depending on individual health factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with mechanical heart valves require long-term medication to prevent thromboembolism, where blood clots can form and lead to potentially serious complications. The American Heart Association recommends a regimen that may include prophylactic anticoagulants such as warfarin or newer direct oral anticoagulants, which need careful monitoring of blood-clotting times to maintain an effective and safe therapeutic range. Additionally, for the prevention of endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves, the American Heart Association recommends antibiotic prophylaxis with drugs like ammoxicillin or clindamycin for patients undergoing certain dental procedures, notably for those at highest risk of adverse outcomes from endocarditis. The specific drugs and dosages used will depend on a variety of factors, including the patient's risk factors for thromboembolism and bleeding, potential drug interactions, and other individual health considerations.