The Magic Pill

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Aspirin, the familiar and readily available pain reliever, can be part of a heart-healthy therapy for certain types of people, but experts agree that it's not right for everyone. Is it right for you? Here's a brief overview of the pros and cons from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help you decide and proceed safely.

Not Just a Pain Reliever

Because of its ability to inhibit the clotting of blood, aspirin taken as prescribed by your doctor can reduce your risk of:

• death or complications from a heart attack if the drug is taken at the first signs of a heart attack
• heart attack if you've had a previous heart attack or experienced angina (chest pain)
• recurrent blockage if you've had heart bypass surgery or other procedures to clear blocked arteries
• stroke if you've had a previous stroke or have had a warning sign called a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)

Recognize the Risks

The potential benefits are impressive, but the very same thing that makes aspirin beneficial—its ability to inhibit blood clotting—may pose serious risks such as:

• increased danger to long-term alcohol users of stomach bleeding and liver damage
• increasing your chance of excessive bleeding, including bleeding in the brain
• stomach irritation causing heartburn, pain, vomiting, and over time, internal bleeding, ulcers, and holes in your stomach or intestines
• temporary ringing in the ears and even hearing loss that usually disappears when the dose is lowered

For these reasons, aspirin is not approved by the FDA as a heart-attack risk reducer for healthy people. So, what should you do to reduce your risk of a heart attack? Follow your doctor’s advice, eat healthful foods, exercise regularly, and don't smoke.

Sources: fda.gov, amercianheart.org, scientificexploration.org