Why take low-dose aspirin? Articles | Remedy

By: Richard Bleuze

Why take low-dose aspirin?

The common pain reliever that has been in our medicine cabinets for almost 100 years is aspirin.  Aspirin is known to help prevent a heart attack or a stroke in people who have never had a heart attack or stroke.  Aspirin has been shown to prevent a first and second heart attack in people who have coronary artery disease.  Aspirin also reduces the risk of having a stroke in those who have had a previous stroke.  In addition, aspirin has also been shown to prevent a transient ischemic attack, which is often a warning sign of an impending stroke.  Asprin can reduce your chances of dying when taken during and after a heart attack.

Studies have shown that aspirin reduces the risk of heart attack in people with known coronary artery disease.  Aspirin has also been shown to lower the risk of having symptoms for people who have a higher risk for the disease.

If you have a heart attack and after you have called 911, you should chew 1 adult-strength (325 mg) or 2 to 4 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin if you are not allergic to aspirin.  Taking an aspirin slows blood clotting, thus the blood clot that is causing the heart attack stays smaller.

I also suggest that you take a low-dose aspirin (81 mg) every day to help lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.  In fact, you should keep a bottle of low-dose aspirin on your night stand since most heart attacks occur in the early morning when you are sleeping.  As a rule, I suggest taking low-dose aspirin if any of the following reasons pretain to you:

1.  After a heart attack, to prevent another one.
2.  By people who have coronary artery disease.
3.  After surgery to prevent a stroke.
4.  By people with stable and unstable angina.
5.  After bypass surgery or angioplasty.
6.  By people who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack.
7.  After surgery to prevent a stroke.
8.  By healthy men over age 45 (women over the age of 55) when the benefits of aspirin to help prevent a heart attack.  In my opinion, the risk of stomach bleeding from taking daily aspirin is much smaller than preventing a heart attack.

Aspirin, as I stated, slows the blood's clotting action by reducing the clumping of platelets.  Aspirin protects you from having a clot-related stroke in the same way it protects you from having a heart attack.

What are platelets?  Well, platelets are cells that clump together and help to form blood clots.  Aspirin, as previous mentioned, keeps platelets from clumping together and therefore helps to prevent or reduce blood clots.

Blood clots form in an already-narrowed artery and block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle during a heart attack.  Taking aspirin slows clotting and decreases the size of the forming blood clot. 

Aspirin should not be taken if you think you are having a stroke.  The reason for this is because not all strokes are caused by clots.  Thus, aspirin could make some strokes worse.

In general, a low-dose aspirin should be taken.  However, please keep in mind that a daily aspirin is not right for everyone.  Thus, before you start taking a low-dose aspirin daily you should talk to your doctor first.  Aspirin has been known to cause side effects, such as as stomach bleeding and bleeding in the brain.  In addition, people who have stomach ulcers, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, blood-clotting disorders, those who are at risk for or who have had a hemorrhagic stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and liver or kidney disease should also avoid aspirin unless your doctor recommends you taking a low-dose aspirin daily.

In addition, aspirin can also trigger asthma attacks in some people who have a sensitivity to the aspirin.  Thus, do not take aspirin without first talking to your doctor.  And if you are already taking prescribed blood thinners do not take aspirin.  The combined effect could cause bleeding problems.

What should I avoid when taking low-dose aspirin therapy?

Avoid drinking 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while taking daily aspirin since alchoholic increases your risk for liver damage and stomach bleeding. If your doctor recommends aspirin, limit or stop alcohol usage.

Aspirin should not be taken with many prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements unlee you have spoken to your doctor first.  So, before you start aspirin therapy, talk to your doctor about all the drugs and other remedies you take.

Because aspirin reduces the blood's ability to clot, your doctor may want you to stop taking aspirin at least 5 days before any surgery or dental procedure that may cause bleeding.  Talking to your doctor first is very important if you have had a stent placed in a coronary artery.  Always talk to your doctor first if you are thinking about suddenly stopping taking aspirin.

In addition, you should tell your doctor if you notice that you bruise easily, have bloody or black stools, or have prolonged bleeding from cuts or scrapes.

What is the best dosage of aspirin for you?  Well, aspirin comes in a wide range of dosages and in many forms.  The best dosage of aspirin for you may not be the best dosage for your neighbor.  That is why it is important to talk to your doctor before going on a daily aspirin program.   Remember, using aspirin correctly gives you the best chance of getting the greatest benefits with the fewest unwanted side effects.  Thus, consult with your doctor first!

A few doctors recommend taking low-dose aspirin, because a low dose seems to be as effective in preventing heart attacks as higher doses.  However, other doctors recommend adult aspirin or no aspirin at all.

One low-dose aspirin contains 81 mg. while one adult-strength aspirin contains about 325 mg.  If you find that taking asprin bothers your stomach, then take the aspirin with food.  

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