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Aspirin is a pain reliever that can thin the blood. Healthcare professionals may recommend it to help prevent heart attacks. It can also be beneficial during or after a heart attack. But it is not for everyone.
This article describes the link between aspirin and heart attacks. He explores who should take aspirin and how to take it when a heart attack is suspected.
Later, he discusses who should avoid aspirin, the risks involved, and other daily ways to help prevent a heart attack.
Aspirin can help prevent heart attacks by making it harder for platelet clots to form in the blood.
Smoking and certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can cause plaque to build up in the coronary arteries. Plaques are buildups of cholesterol, white blood cells, and other substances. Together, they form a waxy deposit that can build up in the walls of the arteries.
If parts of these plaques break off, they too can form blood clots. These can block the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack.
Aspirin can help reduce the severity of a heart attack. However, as the American Heart Association notes, aspirin alone cannot treat a heart attack.
Before taking an aspirin for a suspected heart attack, contact 911 or the local emergency number. The operator can advise whether and how much aspirin to take.
If the operator does not suggest aspirin, the person can receive it in the emergency room.
Learn more about what to do during a heart attack.
Dose
A person can take 160 to 325 milligrams (mg) of aspirin during a heart attack.
The UK’s National Health Service recommends chewing a 300 mg aspirin tablet while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Uncoated aspirin is best because it works faster, but a person can also chew an enteric tablet if no uncoated tablet is available.
A healthcare professional may prescribe a low daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
A 2019 study found that people who took aspirin regularly had a 14% reduced risk of having a first heart attack. However, the same study cautions against the widespread use of aspirin for this purpose. In fact, taking aspirin regularly can increase the risk of major bleeding problems by 46%.
Also a
People with this increased risk include those who:
So while aspirin may help prevent a first heart attack in some people, this benefit may not be generalized.
Dosage
If a healthcare professional prescribes aspirin for prevention, they recommend 75 to 100 mg per day.
However, it is important to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking this dosage. They will review each person’s risk profile before making this recommendation.
Missed dose and overdose
If a person misses a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember it. But if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule.
Anyone concerned that they have taken too much aspirin should immediately call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use their online resource. An expert will provide maintenance instructions.
It may be useful to provide the following information:
- the name and weight of the person
- the product name
- when the person took it
- how much they took
Besides helping to thin the blood and relieve pain, aspirin may have other benefits.
For example, the National Cancer Institute notes that aspirin may have anticancer properties, especially for colorectal cancer.
People at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and those between the ages of 50 and 59 may benefit the most from taking aspirin for this purpose.
However, the institute warns, for people aged 70 and over, a low daily dose of aspirin may increase the likelihood of developing and dying from an advanced form of cancer.
The most common side effects of aspirin include indigestion and stomach pain, as well as bleeding or bruising more easily.
Some possible complications include:
There is a higher risk of certain side effects and complications. As the authors of
The rates of allergic reactions, they note, vary from 1 to 2% in the general population, but rise to 26% in people with asthma or chronic rhinosinusitis.
A low daily dose of aspirin may not be suitable for everyone.
Talking to a healthcare professional before taking aspirin every day may be especially important for people who:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to aspirin
- have asthma
- have severe kidney or liver problems
- have hemophilia or other bleeding disorders
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- are over 65
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have collaborated on the following tips regarding daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks:
- Low daily doses of aspirin may be safe for people aged 40 to 70 who do not have an increased risk of bleeding.
- But these doses are probably dangerous for people over 70 and anyone at increased risk of bleeding.
People with that
- peptic ulcers
- gastritis
- a history of either problem, if they are currently drinking alcohol or taking the blood thinner warfarin
Our daily routines can greatly affect our risk for cardiovascular disease. Beyond taking aspirin, there are several ways you can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Aspirin is an anticoagulant. It is difficult for platelets in the blood to form clots. This can help reduce the risk of a heart attack and limit its severity.
However, only take aspirin when you are suspected of having a heart attack if an emergency medical practitioner recommends it. It is important to contact emergency services first.
Taking aspirin regularly to prevent heart attacks has risks for some people. Consult a healthcare practitioner before taking aspirin every day, even at low doses.
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