Aspirin & Heart Health

Taking an aspirin regimen is a simple, cost-effective way to lower the risk of a recurrent heart attack, ischemic stroke, or TIA (mini-stroke). Whether you're already on an aspirin regimen or are ready to talk with your doctor about starting one, here are the basics.

Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to you doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

Aspirin & Heart Attack Prevention

A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, often by a blood clot. Since aspirin helps prevent clots, taking it at the first sign of a heart attack as directed by a doctor and for 30 days thereafter can actually reduce the risk of death by up to 23%. With numbers like that, it's no wonder why aspirin is known as "the wonder drug".
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Aspirin & Stroke Prevention

Aspirin can also be used under a doctor's direction to decrease the likelihood of a second stroke in men and women who have already had an ischemic stroke or mini-stroke (TIA). Although an aspirin regimen may help prevent a second ischemic stroke, it won't prevent hemorrhagic strokes. In fact, aspirin use slightly increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. So if you have a history of stroke, make sure you know what kind of stroke you had and talk to your doctor before starting an aspirin regimen.
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How Aspirin Works

Whether used for recurrent heart attack or ischemic stroke prevention, aspirin reduces production of substances involved in the early stages of our body's blood clotting mechanism. Platelets release a prostaglandin called thromboxane. Aspirin has an irreversible prostaglandin blocking ability that inhibits the biosynthesis of thromboxane, which reduces the tendency for blood to clot. That's why aspirin shouldn't be used with prescription drugs for anticoagulation (thinning the blood) unless directed by a doctor.
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Check with Your Doctor

The risks and benefits of aspirin therapy are different for everyone. So be sure to talk to your doctor before you start an aspirin regimen.
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