Who Should Take Baby Aspirin Daily
The new recommendation doesn’t apply to people who have already had a stroke or heart attack, or those who have undergone bypass surgery or a procedure to insert a stent in their coronary arteries.
If you havent had a cardiac event but are still looking for ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, talk to your doctor and go over your options. While your doctor may still recommend taking daily aspirin, its important to have a medical opinion behind your decision to ensure the risks and benefits are carefully weighed.
What Do Numbers Tell Us About Benefits And Risks Of Aspirin
Benefits
Evidence shows that for people with a high risk of heart attack or stroke, aspirin lowers the chance of heart attack, stroke, and dying from heart disease. The quality of this evidence is high.
Take a group of 100 people who have a high risk of heart attack or stroke. Here are their chances of having one in the next 10 years:footnote 3, footnote 2
- Without aspirin, about 20 out of 100 people will have a heart attack or stroke or die from heart disease. This means that about 80 out of 100 won’t have one.
- With aspirin, about 18 out of 100 people will have a heart attack or stroke or die from heart disease. This means that about 82 out of 100 won’t.
Note that:
- This is just one example. Your risk of heart attack and stroke may be different.
- These estimates apply to people who are younger than 70 years old. People who are 70 or older don’t seem to benefit much from taking aspirin, regardless of their level of risk.footnote 1
Risks
Chance of serious bleeding in the next 10 years based on risk level
| Number of people who have serious bleeding problems within 10 years |
|---|
| Risk of serious bleeding |
*These numbers are examples based on research studies.footnote 3, footnote 2
Evidence shows that aspirin increases the chance of serious bleeding. The quality of this evidence is high.
Take a group of 100 people who have a low risk of bleeding. Here are their chances of having serious bleeding in the next 10 years:footnote 3, footnote 2
Understanding the evidence
S To Better Blood Pressure
The AHA offers these tips for better blood pressure:
- Get your blood pressure checked. Knowledge is a powerful first step. High blood pressure doesn’t make you feel ill; it’s called the silent killer.
- Get medical advice. Your doctor can help determine what strategies will help most with any blood pressure issues.
- Quit smoking.Smoking raises your odds of heart problems, stroke, and other health problems. Quitting can take several tries, so hang in there and get support.
- Become more active. If you’ve been idle, check in with your doctor first.
- Eat healthfully. Cutting down on salt can help. Make fruits, vegetables, and low- or no-fat dairy products part of a healthy diet.
- Take medications, if needed. Work with your doctor to see if you need blood pressure drugs.
- Lose excess weight. Your blood pressure may improve as you shed extra pounds.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol. The AHA suggests limiting alcohol to no more than one or two drinks per day.
- Manage your stress. You’ll be helping your heart and blood vessels take it easy.
- Talk to your doctor about your medications. Some medications can affect blood pressure
SOURCES: Hermida, R. Journal of the American College ofCardiology, Sept. 20, 2005; vol 46: pp 975-983. Messerli, F. Journalof the American College of Cardiology, Sept. 20, 2005; vol 46: pp 984-985.American Heart Association: “High Blood Pressure.” American HeartAssociation: “High Blood Pressure: Control Your Risk Factors.” Newsrelease, American College of Cardiology.
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Is Aspirin And High Blood Pressure A Safe Combination
Is the taking of aspirin and high blood pressure presents a really safe combination? Or is the inclusion part of your treatment to some other condition? Aspirin on its own is an excellent addition to your blood pressure treatment because it reduces the risk of a stroke by preventing blood platelets from forming a clot.
At the same time, it thins your blood and can cause bleeding.
The relationship between the use of aspirin and high blood pressure is because of its ability in lessening your risk of a heart attack or stroke due to blood clotting.
It is also used in anti-inflammation treatment if you are suffering from arthritis.
There are also other health issues that develop when you have high blood pressure that aspirin can be used for.
Still, aspirin is not for everyone, and it needs to be used appropriately and according to your doctor’s directions only.;
Latest High Blood Pressure News
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, May 14 A daily aspirin can control prehypertension, but only if it is taken at bedtime, a Spanish study shows.
An aspirin taken every morning didn’t lower the blood pressure of prehypertensive people, but the evening regimen did, Dr. Ramon C. Hermida reported Wednesday at the American Society of Hypertension annual meeting, in New Orleans.
A previous study by Hermida, who is director of bioengineering and chronobiology at the University of Vigo, showed the same beneficial effect of bedtime aspirin for people with moderately high blood pressure. The new report is the first study to show the drug’s benefit although only when taken at night with prehypertension, defined as blood pressure just below the 140/90 level. Prehypertension is a known warning sign of future risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
Why aspirin should do its good work for blood pressure at night but not in the daytime is not clear, Hermida said. Research indicates that it can slow the production of hormones and other substances in the body that cause clotting, many of which are produced while the body is at rest.
Researchers monitored blood pressure levels at 20-minute intervals from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and at 30-minute intervals at night before the trial began and three months later.
“It’s all a little bit speculative about why, but I think the observation is solid,” she said.
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What Is Baby Aspirin
Normally an aspirin tablet contains 325 mg of the mineral. Baby aspirin, on the other hand, signifies a reduced dose which is around one fourth of the total quantity. This means that baby aspirin is around 81 mg and is used and recommended only in specific cases. In most cases, it is the doctor who advises a patient to consume baby aspirin, and without medical recommendation, the same should be avoided.
Redesigning Maternal Care: Ob
The challenge, some OB-GYNs believe, is getting the word out to women who are at risk that the low-dose aspirin regimen is something that could benefit them. In that way, Desmukes and her husband, Jeffrey, were lucky to hear about it early in her pregnancy.
She says her doctor, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, “explained to us that because of my age and the fact that I had a history of preeclampsia, aspirin would be recommended for me to take. Just precautionarily to keep the flow of nutrients and oxygen and everything to the baby and help it continue to thrive and grow.”
As an older mom with a history of preeclampsia, Desmukes is considered at high risk for developing the condition again. She’s a nurse by training and knows the risks, so she agreed with her OB-GYN that taking a single baby aspirin daily is a good idea. “Just precautionarily,” she says, “to keep the flow of nutrients and oxygen … to the baby.” Ryan Kellman/NPRhide caption
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Desmukes says at first she was hesitant. A nurse by training, she knows any medicine can have side effects and says she prefers a “holistic” approach to her own health. But she also knows the risks of preeclampsia, and how it can be fatal it’s a leading cause of the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S. And as a black woman, Desmukes’ risk of dying in childbirth is elevated; maternal mortality rates among black women in the U.S. are about three times those of white women.
How it works
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Prevents Blood Clots From Forming
Baby aspirin is a highly recommended anti-platelet medicine given in case there is a serious situation of blood clotting. Generally, you advise baby aspirin to patients who have just had bypass surgery, heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation,and acute coronary syndrome. This is because the reduction in blood clots clears the arteries and resumes the smooth passage of blood in the same.
Fact: Daily Use Of Aspirin Is Not Right For Everyone
Aspirin has been shown to be helpful when used daily to lower the risk of heart attack, clot-related strokes and other blood flow problems in patients who have cardiovascular disease or who have already had a heart attack or stroke. Many medical professionals prescribe aspirin for these uses. There may be a benefit to daily aspirin use for you if you have some kind of heart or blood vessel disease, or if you have evidence of poor blood flow to the brain. However, the risks of long-term aspirin use may be greater than the benefits if there are no signs of, or risk factors for heart or blood vessel disease.
Every prescription and over-the-counter medicine has benefits and risks even such a common and familiar medicine as aspirin. Aspirin use can result in serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, and kidney failure. No medicine is completely safe. By carefully reviewing many different factors, your health professional can help you make the best choice for you.
When you don’t have the labeling directions to guide you, you need the medical knowledge of your doctor, nurse practitioner, or other health professional.
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Can A Baby Aspirin Stop A Heart Attack
Aspirin can help prevent heart attacks in people with coronary artery disease and in those who have a higher than average risk. Only low dose, usually just 1 a day, is needed. But people who think they may be having an attack need an extra 325 mg of aspirin, and they need it as quickly as possible.
An Aspirin A Day Not Necessary Or Safe For Everyone
Dear Mayo Clinic:
I have heard that taking one baby aspirin every day can lower your risk of having a heart attack. Is that true?
Answer:
Taking an aspirin every day may be appropriate in some cases, but not all. For some people who have a history of certain heart problems, stroke or diabetes, a daily aspirin may be useful. For others, though, taking an aspirin every day does not necessarily lower the risk of a heart attack and, in some cases, may be unsafe. Any decision to take a daily aspirin should be based on a doctor’s recommendation.
Aspirin, which acts as a blood thinner, can lower the blood’s ability to clot. When you bleed, the blood’s clotting cascade is initiated such that platelets build up at the wound to help seal the opening in the blood vessel and stop the bleeding. Arteries that supply blood to the heart can become narrowed due to a build-up of fatty deposits a condition known as atherosclerosis. If one of those deposits breaks down or ruptures, a blood clot can quickly form on the exposed irregular surface, block the artery and reduce blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. Taking a daily aspirin decreases the clumping action of platelets, making a clot less likely to form and block the blood vessel and possibly preventing a heart attack.
You should not start taking an aspirin daily before you talk to your doctor. If your doctor advises you to take a daily aspirin, it should be taken exactly as recommended.
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Is Daily Aspirin Right For You
Doctors typically prescribe daily aspirin therapy for people who have certain cardiovascular risk factors.
You might benefit from taking aspirin every day if you answer yes to one or more of the following questions:
- Have you previously had a heart attack?
- Have you previously had a clot-related stroke?
- Have you had a stent inserted in a coronary artery?
- Do you have chest pain caused by angina?
- Have you had coronary bypass surgery?
- Are you a man over 50 or a woman over 60 with diabetes and at least one other heart disease risk factor?
- Do you have a family history of heart attacks?
If you think youre at risk, make an appointment to discuss daily aspirin with a doctor.
Can Taking An Aspirin Every Day Help Lower Your Risk For A Heart Attack
Daily aspirin may lower the risk of a heart attack, but the risks of taking aspirin every day outweigh the benefits for most people.
A 2019 meta-analysis of thirteen randomized controlled trials and a total of 164,225 participants found that among people who dont have cardiovascular disease, taking daily aspirin doesnt improve mortality outcomes.
According to 2019 recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association , only people with certain cardiovascular risk factors should take aspirin on a daily basis to prevent a heart attack.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force came to a similar conclusion. A 2016 recommendation indicated that aspirin is only beneficial for individuals between 50 to 69 years who are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
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How Much Should I Take
Your doctor will discuss what dose is right for you. It’s important to take low-dose aspirin exactly as recommended by your doctor.
The usual dose to prevent a heart attack or stroke is 75mg once a day .
The daily dose may be higher – up to 300mg once a day – especially if you have just had a stroke, heart attack or heart bypass surgery.
What Is The Purpose Of Taking A Baby Aspirin Every Day
Daily low-dose aspirin can be of help to older people with an elevated risk for a heart attack. But for healthy older people, the risk outweighs the benefit. Many healthy Americans take a baby aspirin every day to reduce their risk of having a heart attack, getting cancer and even possibly dementia.
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A Federal Task Force Recommends That Pregnant Women At High Risk For Preeclampsia Take Low
Aspirin is generally not recommended during pregnancy, as it can lead to bleeding problems for both mother and baby. But for some women, the benefits of a daily low-dose aspirin after the first trimester may outweigh the risk.
Results from multiple clinical trials showed that using low-dose aspirin lowered the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women at high risk for the condition . Preeclampsia happens when a woman’s blood pressure suddenly gets too high during pregnancy. If preeclampsia occurs during pregnancy, the only current cure is delivery of the fetus, often prematurely. In fact, preeclampsia is responsible for 15% of preterm births in the United States.
The clinical trials also found that low-dose aspirin reduced the risk for premature delivery and low birth weight of infants. Based on these findings, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation that women at high risk for preeclampsia take a daily low-dose aspirin after 12 weeks of pregnancy to help prevent the condition from developing. The USPSTF recommendation mirrored the 2013 guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Select a link below to learn more.
Aspirin For Prevention: A Look At The Potential Benefits And Risks
Editor’s note: In March 2019, new guidelines were released that recommend more limited use of aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease. This is the first installment of a revised blog series.
When my doctor first asked me to take aspirin, I wasn’t so sure I needed it. Since the 1980s, aspirin has a proven record of preventing second heart attacks and strokes, but its use in people without these problems was and remains a source of confusion for both doctors and patients. Why take a medicine that can cause severe bleeding problems if it is not clear that you’ll personally benefit?
As I encountered more patients with questions about aspirin, it eventually dawned on me that the key was to look at the chances it would be beneficial and the chances it would cause harm. For any patient , aspirin for prevention should be taken only if its benefits outweigh its risks.
Let’s look at one patient who is similar to many I’ve seen in the clinic:
Fred is a 58-year-old sales manager with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. He has never had a prior heart attack or stroke, but he smokes a pack of cigarettes daily. While 15 pounds overweight, he eats a healthy, mostly plant-based diet and walks a half an hour during his lunch breaks at work. Fred takes atorvastatin for his cholesterol and lisinopril for hypertension. A friend tells him he should consider taking low-dose aspirin.
What should Fred do next?
Aspirin benefits
Aspirin harms
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If Your Doctor Recommends Aspirin
If your doctor gives you the OK to take a daily low-dose aspirin, it’s important to take it exactly as advised. Taking the wrong dose or using aspirin incorrectly may increase your risk for harmful side effects or complications.
Other issues you should review with your doctor before starting aspirin include:
- If and how much alcohol you can drink
- What medications or supplements you should avoid
- If you are undergoing a surgical procedure, whether you should stop your aspirin
- Symptoms to watch out for and what to do if they occur