Is aspirin therapy right for you?
Can an aspirin a day keep the cardiologist away? While it’s true that the century-old pain reliever may help prevent heart attack and stroke in some people, taking daily aspirin is not without risk. Here’s what you need to know about daily aspirin therapy.
What can aspirin do?
By reducing the clotting action of your blood, aspirin lowers the potential for blockages in your arteries and helps your heart maintain good blood flow. Because of this, doctors often prescribe daily aspirin therapy to prevent cardiac-related conditions, including heart attack, stroke and mini-stroke. Other research suggests aspirin may help
protect against some cancers.
A daily regimen of aspirin therapy should be followed only on your doctor’s advice since aspirin can produce unwanted side effects. It can irritate the stomach, causing pain, nausea, heartburn or ulcers—side effects more likely to occur if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day or have a history of ulcers. Aspirin can also react poorly with other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal and dietary supplements. In addition, some people are allergic to aspirin.
For some people at low risk for heart disease, daily aspirin may do more harm than good. Serious side effects include stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain and kidney failure.
Who should take aspirin?
The American Heart Association recommends daily aspirin use for most people who have had a heart attack, unstable angina, an ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot) or a mini-stroke because it may help prevent a second event. If you never suffered a heart attack or stroke but are considered at high risk, aspirin may help you reduce your risk for an attack by as much as 25 percent.
Ask your doctor about aspirin therapy if you are a man over age 40 or a postmenopausal woman; you have heart or blood vessel disease; you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes; or you smoke. Your doctor will evaluate your overall risk for cardiovascular disease against your risk for side effects from aspirin therapy.
Studies show that the best dose is between 80 milligrams (mg) and 160 mg. Only your doctor can determine the right level for you. People who use aspirin regularly should avoid alcohol and take special precautions if they need dental or surgical procedures or take other medications.
Not for you?
Only your doctor can tell you if the benefits of aspirin outweigh the risks. Check with him or her before taking aspirin, especially if you have:
Never stop taking prescribed aspirin therapy unless directed by your doctor.
