Is aspirin good for the heart?

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Will taking one aspirin a day keep you from going to the heart doctor? Aspirin has been a mainstay in medicine cabinets for more than a century because of its ability to relieve pain, lower fever, and fight inflammation. continues to be. And in recent decades, aspirin has been touted for another notable benefit: being a valuable ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

But while taking low-dose aspirin daily can be lifesaving, it’s not suitable for everyone. It can help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, but its effectiveness varies depending on your age, overall health, and history of heart disease. Guidelines continue to change as researchers learn more about the benefits and risks of aspirin therapy.

“For healthy people without a history of heart attack or stroke, the benefit of taking daily aspirin is controversial,” says Geisinger cardiologist Michael Keyal, MD. “But if you’ve already experienced one of these events and you know you have heart disease, taking aspirin daily may be beneficial.”

What is aspirin therapy?

Aspirin therapy involves taking one low-dose aspirin pill a day to protect the heart health of people who have had a heart attack or are at high risk of having a heart attack.

“Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which effectively manage inflammation and help prevent blood clot formation,” explains Dr. Keyal. “Aspirin therapy has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in this country and the world.”

Always talk to your doctor about the right aspirin dose for you. The dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack is usually lower than the dose needed for pain relief. Regular strength aspirin is 325 milligrams (mg), but lower doses of aspirin (usually in the 75-100 mg range, with the most common lower dose being 81 mg) are more effective in preventing heart attacks and strokes .

Can aspirin prevent heart attacks?

A recent study published in the American Heart Association Scientific Journal found that low-dose aspirin therapy reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 21% and reduced all-cause mortality by 13% in people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. This has been shown.

Aspirin relieves pain, reduces inflammation, lowers fever, and thins the blood, inhibiting the ability of platelets to clump together and form dangerous blood clots. Blood clots are a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Most heart attacks occur when the blood supply to part of the heart is cut off. This is usually the result of plaque buildup within the arteries. The more plaque there is, the greater the chance of plaque rupture. When an artery ruptures, it can cause inflammation and the formation of a blood clot, which can block blood flow to parts of the body.

“This is called an embolism,” says Dr. Keyal. “If a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart, it can cause a heart attack.”

Should I take aspirin during a heart attack?

If you are having a heart attack, the first thing you should do is call 911.

“The operator may recommend taking aspirin until the ambulance arrives with the doctor,” Dr. Keyal says. “Chewing an aspirin tablet during a heart attack may prevent blood from clotting and reduce the effects of the heart attack. To minimize the damage a heart attack can cause, take immediate action. The key is to take action.”

Taking aspirin during a heart attack is safe and recommended. However, not all strokes are caused by blood clots, so it is not recommended if you have had a stroke. If a stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel, aspirin can make the bleeding more severe.

Aspirin side effects and risks

Taking aspirin occasionally to relieve headaches, body aches, and fever is safe for many adults. However, like most drugs, aspirin has side effects, and taking aspirin every day can lead to serious complications, including:

Stomach bleeding. Daily use of aspirin increases your risk of developing stomach ulcers, which can cause life-threatening bleeding. Drinking alcohol regularly can increase your gastrointestinal risks.
stroke. Aspirin therapy can help prevent blood clot-related strokes, but it can increase the risk of hemorrhagic strokes.
Kidney damage. Kidney damage is most likely to occur in people who already have kidney problems. Aspirin can also cause kidney stones in some people.
allergic reaction. If you have an aspirin allergy or intolerance, taking aspirin can cause a serious allergic reaction.

“The benefits of taking aspirin daily must be carefully weighed against its risks,” says Dr. Keyal. “The risk of stomach bleeding increases depending on the dose of aspirin you take and how long you take it. Bleeding from the stomach can be serious and even fatal.”

Dr. Keyal also warns that if you are taking aspirin daily, inform your surgeon, doctor, or dentist before the procedure to avoid excessive bleeding.

Is taking aspirin daily recommended for heart health?

First and foremost, you should not take low-dose aspirin daily without consulting your doctor. Doctors consider your personal risk factors and medical history when recommending whether you should take aspirin daily.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently updated its guidelines on aspirin treatment, stating:

Adults ages 40 to 59 who have a 10% or higher risk of having a first heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years may benefit from low-dose aspirin therapy.
Adults over 60 years of age may not benefit from low-dose aspirin therapy as primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The effectiveness of aspirin therapy decreases with age, but the risk of complications such as bleeding increases.

If you are otherwise healthy and have no history of a heart attack, taking aspirin daily can cause side effects such as stomach bleeding. The use of enteric-coated tablets can minimize this, but increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The benefits of taking aspirin daily to prevent cardiac events do not outweigh the risk of bleeding.

However, if you are at high risk for heart attack or stroke, or have had one, the benefits of daily aspirin therapy outweigh the risk of bleeding to prevent another attack. Aspirin is part of an established second-line treatment plan for people with a history of heart attack or stroke.

Important risk factors for heart disease include:

high blood pressure
high cholesterol
Family history of cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
overweight or obese
Smoking history
A life without physical activity

“Never stop aspirin treatment without consulting your doctor,” warns Dr. Keyal. “Suddenly discontinuing daily aspirin treatment can cause blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack.”

Heart Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Here are steps you can take to support your heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease without having to take aspirin every day.

Eat heart-healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low fats instead of sweet and salty snacks, saturated fats (butter, high-fat meats, dairy products), and trans fats (prepackaged foods, margarine, fried fast foods) Consume more dairy products. ).
Exercise regularly. The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (brisk walking, swimming, or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (running or aerobics) each week, plus strength training at least two days a week. Recommended.
Manage healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Maintaining heart-healthy numbers within normal ranges plays an important role in maintaining a strong heart. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Lose weight. If you are overweight, your heart will have a harder time working. Additionally, excess weight increases your risk of developing other heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. A healthy diet and an active lifestyle are the keys to maintaining a healthy weight.
Quit smoking. If you smoke, it’s never too late to quit. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Quitting smoking improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease.

“Remember, you should not practice aspirin therapy on your own without first consulting your doctor,” says Dr. Keyal. “However, if recommended by your doctor, aspirin can also help promote heart health in addition to a healthy lifestyle.”