Examples

How It Works

Aspirin slows the blood's clotting action by reducing the clumping of platelets. Platelets are cells that clump together and help to form blood clots. Aspirin keeps platelets from clumping together, thus helping to prevent or reduce blood clots.

During a heart attack. Blood clots form in an already-narrowed artery and block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When taken during a heart attack, aspirin slows clotting and decreases the size of the blood clot that is forming.

After a heart attack. Aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack. Taken daily, aspirin's anti-clotting action helps prevent a first or second heart attack.

Why It Is Used

For people who are having a heart attack. You can take aspirin to help you during a heart attack. After you call 911 or other emergency services, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Or you might be given aspirin in the ambulance or emergency room. Aspirin slows blood clotting. So a blood clot that is causing the heart attack stays smaller.

For people who have had a heart attack. Aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack.

For people who have never had a heart attack. Aspirin may reduce your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke if you have certain risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. If you have a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke, aspirin will have even more benefit for you.

Low-dose aspirin may also be used by people who have:

• Coronary artery disease.
• Stable angina.
• Unstable angina.
• Had bypass surgery or angioplasty.
• Had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

But in people with a relatively low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the benefits of preventive aspirin therapy may be outweighed by the increased risk of bleeding problems.

How Well It Works

• Aspirin can lower the risk of a first heart attack and recurrent heart attacks.
• Aspirin may reduce the severity of a heart attack when taken immediately after symptoms begin.
• Aspirin may help improve the symptoms of unstable angina.
• Aspirin may lower the risk of death caused by heart disease.

Generic or store brands are as effective as brand-name aspirin.