What does an INR value above 2.5 indicate?

An INR value above 2.5 indicates an increased risk for bleeding, which is particularly relevant in patients who are on anticoagulant therapy, such as warfarin. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is a standardized way to measure the time it takes for blood to clot compared to a normal sample. In patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, an elevated INR suggests that the blood is taking longer to clot, which increases the likelihood of bleeding complications.

Maintaining the INR within a therapeutic range is critical; for most indications, an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 is considered safe, but above this range, the risk of bleeding—spontaneous or from minor trauma—can significantly rise. In a clinical context, healthcare providers closely monitor INR levels in patients on anticoagulants to balance the need for anticoagulation with the risk of bleeding.