You may already have a bottle of aspirin in your medicine cabinet. But did you know that besides treating aches, pains, and fevers, aspirin may help lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke?
Learn more about how aspirin can help your heart and what lifestyle changes you can make to possibly decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.
What Is Aspirin?
Aspirin comes from an herbal extract found in the bark of the willow tree. In fact, this extract has been used for centuries, as far back as 3000 B.C., to relieve pain and inflammation. Greek physician Hippocrates, who is often called the Father of Modern Medicine, administered willow bark tea to women to help relieve the pain of childbirth around 400 B.C.
Mass production of aspirin as we know it began in 1899, and in 1974 researchers found evidence suggesting that aspirin could be used to prevent heart attacks. Around 1997, aspirin became widely accepted by the medical community as an important tool to help prevent heart disease and stroke.
How Does Aspirin Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke?
Aspirin may help lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke by preventing dangerous blood clots from forming. When you damage a blood vessel, usually by a cut or bruise, your body sends small cell fragments called platelets to the site of the injury. The platelets stick together, or clot, to stop the bleeding and allow the injury to heal.
Plaque buildup in your arteries can put you at risk for dangerous blood clots because plaque can rupture. If a blood clot forms at the site of the rupture, it can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Aspirin helps to reduce inflammation and thins the blood by preventing blood clots from forming. Studies have also shown that aspirin can reduce the damage to your heart during a heart attack and prevent future problems if you’ve already experienced a heart attack.
Who Should and Should Not Take Aspirin for Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention?
Your doctor may recommend daily aspirin to lower your risk for heart attack and stroke if you have:
- Had a heart attack or stroke in the past, or are at risk for one.
- Undergone angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.
- Peripheral artery disease, or blocked blood vessels in your legs.
- Coronary artery disease, or blocked blood vessels in your heart.
You should only take aspirin for heart health if your doctor recommends it. Your doctor may also suggest taking aspirin with other medicines that can help prevent dangerous blood clots.
Aspirin is available in different strengths and formulations. Your doctor may recommend the best dose/formulation according to your clinical profile.
Research shows that taking a lower daily dose of aspirin minimizes the risk of internal building and provides all the heart-healthy benefits of the standard, higher dose. Patients should not stop taking their aspirin before talking with their doctor.
It is not recommended to take aspirin for heart health if you:
- Have never had a heart attack or stroke (primary prevention).
- Have a high risk for bleeding.
- Are allergic to aspirin.
- Are under the age of 18.
- Are pregnant.
- Are about to have surgery.
It’s important to alert your doctor if you notice any signs of abnormal bleeding or unusual bruising. Always let other health professionals know you are taking aspirin before undergoing any medical procedures.
What Are the Risks?
A low-dose aspirin regimen is usually well-tolerated by most people, but common side effects may include:
- Nausea.
- Upset stomach.
- Nervousness.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Easy bruising, bleeding side effects.
Aspirin can interact with other medications and dietary supplements, so it is very important that you tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications that you are taking.
Will I Need to Make Other Lifestyle Changes?
In addition to taking aspirin to lower your risk for heart attack and stroke, your doctor might recommend the following lifestyle changes:
- Eating heart-healthy foods, like salmon, berries, and leafy greens.
- Quitting or avoiding smoking.
- Getting regular physical activity.
- Controlling your blood pressure.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Taking your medicines as prescribed.
As always, talk with your doctor about recommendations tailored to your particular situation.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .