Is Aspirin Right for You?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. In fact, it causes more deaths than all cancers combined.
But the good news is that you can reduce your risk for heart disease with a healthier lifestyle. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Your doctor can tell you about the benefits of quitting smoking, losing weight, and exercising. He or she can also tell you whether you should start an aspirin regimen to prevent recurrent heart attack or ischemic stroke (stroke caused by a clot).

Talking to Your Doctor

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

If you have one or more of the following conditions, talk to your doctor about whether an aspirin regimen is right for you:

• You have had a heart attack
• You have had an ischemic stroke or a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack)
• You have stable or unstable angina
• You have had certain heart procedures, such as angioplasty or a coronary bypass operation

Your doctor will weigh your risk for a second heart event against the potential side effects of long-term aspirin use.

He or she can also help you identify other ways to reduce your risk for a second heart event as well as give you advice and guidance on how to start living ProHeart. For example, your doctor can provide you with diet and exercise plans or recommend support groups to help you quit smoking. Your doctor is a valuable source of information, so don't be afraid to ask questions!
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Who Should Avoid Taking Aspirin?

If you talk with your doctor about an aspirin regimen, ask if there is any reason not to take aspirin. Some people have conditions that aspirin may make worse. In general, your doctor will look at whether you have:

• An allergy to aspirin or other salicylates
• Asthma
• Stomach ulcers or a history of ulcers
• Inherited bleeding disorders (hemophilia) or acquired bleeding disorders (liver disease or vitamin K deficiency)
• A history of hemorrhagic stroke (a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain)
• Reduced liver or kidney function
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Tell your doctor if you have three or more alcoholic drinks every day.

It's important to talk to your doctor about all of your prescription and nonprescription (OTC) medications before you begin an aspirin regimen because aspirin can interact with other drugs you may be taking. For example, if you are taking a blood thinning medicine, such as heparin or warfarin, aspirin use can increase your risk of bleeding.
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