How Aspirin Can Reduce Risks of a Heart Attack

Is aspirin therapy for everyone? Patients at high risk for heart disease can benefit from taking low-dose aspirin. The American Heart Association recommends people at high risk of heart attack should take a daily low-dose of aspirin and heart attack survivors regularly take low-dose aspirin.

In many ways Aspirin is the wonder drug because it acts in so many different mechanisms in the body, but mainly that it’s an anti-inflammatory mechanism. Inflammation plays a key role in heart attack the inside of the blood vessel gets inflamed and a blood clot may form, that is when the blood flow to the heart stops. Aspirin helps prevent the clotting of the blood, called platelets. Platelets sticking together are one of the first steps of a blood clot, so aspirin makes it slicker.

Taking an anti-inflammatory in a small dose of aspirin has tremendous benefits, especially for smokers, diabetics and those over the age of 50. Your health care provider may suggest daily aspirin therapy if you have already had a heart attack or stroke, or if you are at high risk of having one. The possible side effects of daily aspirin therapy include gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke or allergic reaction.

Talk with your health care provider to see if you are a candidate for aspirin therapy. Call 9-1-1 immediately or seek immediate medical attention. During the month of February Portneuf Medical Center is offering Coronary Risk Profile Lab Tests for $16. Screenings can help detect diseases before symptoms occur. Testing includes results for in total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride and VLDL. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2BDC6V6. To find a primary care provider, please call 208-239-3814.