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If you are at risk for developing heart disease—or even if you have already had a heart attack—taking an aspirin every day can help keep you healthy. People who take aspirin daily are much less likely of having a heart attack or dying from a heart attack or stroke.

How does aspirin help with heart disease?

Most people think aspirin is just for aches and pains, but it is also a very helpful medicine for your heart and blood vessels.

Aspirin works by reducing the stickiness of the blood cells (called platelets) so they don't clump together, form a clot, or stick to the walls of the arteries, making them narrow. While aspirin itself is not enough to prevent heart disease and strokes, it is an important part of your medical treatment.

What problems could I have taking aspirin?

The most common problem or side effect of taking aspirin is stomach irritation. This happens in very few people who use aspirin. Other problems experienced by regular aspirin users have included nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, severe hunger, abdominal pain, or stools that are bloody or black. (Black stools suggest bleeding.)

To reduce the risk of having problems taking aspirin:

• Take "enteric-coated," low dose, 81mg aspirin (which has a special coating that is less irritating to the stomach).
• Take aspirin with food.

Aspirin can cause more bleeding than usual after surgery or dental work (teeth cleaning does not cause this problem). Your doctor or other health care professional (such as a Care Manager) may want you to stop taking your aspirin about one week before you have surgery or dental work performed. Ask your doctor or dentist when it is safe for you to start back on your aspirin therapy.

Can taking aspirin increase my chances of having a stroke?

Aspirin lowers your risk of stroke if you have heart disease or are at an increased risk for developing heart disease. Although most strokes are caused by a clot, some studies suggest that people who take aspirin regularly may be at slightly increased risk for having a certain type of stroke from a bleed (hemorrhagic).

How much aspirin should I take?

The recommended amount is 81 to 325 milligrams (one low dose or adult-strength tablet) of plain or enteric-coated aspirin once a day with a meal. Discuss taking aspirin with your health care professional.

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