Health & Fitness

These are the things you should know about taking aspirin if you HAVE NOT had a heart attack.

• If you are in your 50’s, the medical publication, Health After 50, reported that a panel of experts has recently updated the steps for which Aspirin should be taken depending on the ages of the individual. In your 50s, people have a 10% higher risk of coronary attack or stroke with a life expectancy of at least 10 years with no increased risk of GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding. If you fall into this category then you can safely take a daily baby Aspirin of 81 milligrams.
• If you are in your 60s you may be at a high risk of heart attack and stroke during the next 10 years and have a life expectancy of at least 10 years without an increased risk of GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding. If this applies to you then you should take a baby Aspirin. If taken for 10 years you will receive the benefits.
• If you are at least 70 years or older or younger than 50, experts say that this doesn’t indicate whether you should take one either way, as this is no indicator that you will have a heart attack or colon cancer. If you are over 70 and you already have pre-existing health issues, the risk of your having a heart attack or stroke, increases.

These are the things you should know about taking aspirin if you HAVE HAD had a heart attack.

• If you have already had a heart attack, stroke or have cardio-vascular disease, you should take a baby aspirin to decrease the risk of having another heart attack, stroke or possibly dying from cardio-vascular disease.
• Small doses of Aspirin can cause GI bleeding. It has been reported that in Canada, 2,000 people and roughly 22,000 people in the U.S. die annually from GI bleeding brought on by Aspirin.
• There are some who believe that simply by taking a lower dose of baby Aspirin can decrease the risk of GI bleeding. However, there is no scientific evidence that proves this to be true. If GI bleeding is a risk then you should limit the amount of painkillers, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and alcohol that you consume. If you do take Aspirin, it should be taken with food and water, never on an empty stomach. You should never abruptly stop taking Aspirin because this can cause a rebound effect, increasing the risk of a heart attack and blood clots.
• You should always find out the pros and cons of Aspirin therapy with your physician.
• 51% of heart attack victims were not taking Aspirin. Seven percent took Tylenol, which does not prevent blood clots.

The best thing that you can do is to make sure that you know what your risks are. Everyone’s situation differs, which is why it is also important to consult with your physician before starting on an Aspirin regimen.