Many (mostly older) people have a habit of taking aspirin on their own because they think that it reduces the risk of a heart attack. The problem arises when people do this without consulting a doctor and increase their risk of other problems – from anemia to stomach ulcers.
It is a well-known fact that aspirin can reduce the risk of heart attack. Because of this, many people, especially older people, have a habit of drinking it often, even when they have no real need for the drug.
But this habit can be dangerous and cause you serious problems.
What is aspirin used for and how does it reduce the risk of a heart attack?
Aspirin is a medicine used for fever as well as mild to moderate pain. This includes headaches, menstrual pains, toothaches and the like.
Aspirin prevents the secretion of certain substances that cause fever, pain and swelling.
Aspirin is generally an over-the-counter drug, but there are stronger prescription-only aspirin medications.
Aspirin has an effect on blood clotting. And it is precisely the clotted blood in the veins that is the cause of a heart attack.
Aspirin reduces blood clotting, so many people think that if they take the drug regularly, they will reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Should you take aspirin preventively to prevent a heart attack?
Never start taking aspirin for heart attack prevention unless your doctor tells you to.
With age, the risk of heart attack increases. But the risk of uncontrolled bleeding caused by aspirin increases even more.
If you’re at low risk for a heart attack, taking an aspirin every day can only cause problems.
What can happen if you drink aspirin on your hand?
According to NPR , in people who are not at risk of a heart attack, taking aspirin regularly only increases the risk of internal bleeding, especially if they are older.
For the Daily Mail, professor and doctor Rob Galloway points out that aspirin should not be taken every day without a doctor’s recommendation.
“For people with severe chest pain who may be having a heart attack, aspirin can be life-saving… But like any drug, there are risks.”
Dr. Robb says new research shows that it’s aspirin’s ability to reduce blood clotting that may cause problems.
“Over the years, there has been a lot of research warning about the drug’s side effects, which include internal bleeding and stomach ulcers. Recently, there has been research that reveals that it can also cause anemia.
As we age, the risk of anemia increases for many reasons – the body absorbs less iron, the body produces fewer blood cells, and the kidneys secrete less of the hormone that helps produce red blood cells. But the research showed that the risk of anemia was 20 higher in older people who regularly took aspirin.
Experts advise that you only take low-dose aspirin if your doctor recommends it because you are at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Also, we physicians are cautious when prescribing long-term aspirin therapy.
Aspirin is a medicine that everyone should have at home for emergencies. But follow the rule – don’t self-medicate and always talk to your doctor first.”
Who can take aspirin for heart attack prevention?
We emphasize again that you should not start drinking aspirin without consulting a doctor.
However, sometimes doctors advise their patients to start preventive therapy with aspirin, in the following cases :
- Patients aged 40 to 59 years in whom the risk of having a heart attack in the next ten years is significantly high.
- Patients who have not experienced a heart attack but have had certain heart surgeries or have other medical conditions that increase the risk of a heart attack.
- Patients under the age of 60 who have diabetes and are exposed to another risk factor for heart attack, such as smoking or high blood pressure.
