Aspirin is well known for pain relief and as a fever reducer, but it is becomming known as a wonder drug because of its many beneficial effects on the heart.
The benefits of aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes is clear, but is the use of this drug on a daily basis right for you? Because there can be serious side-effects, a daily dose of aspirin should only be taken by those with certain cardiovascular risk factors and only if recommended by a physician.
Risk factors include:
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• personal or family history of heart disease
• a smoker
Daily aspirin has also shown to be beneficial in preventing certain types of cancers and other diseases such as Alzheimer disease, but should only be used under the direction of a physician.
When it comes to daily aspirin therapy, more is not better. Low-dose aspirin, a ‘baby aspirin’ dose of 81 milligrams, is safer than and just as effective as the standard adult dose of 325 milligrams. Since aspirin can have serious side effects, including stomach ulcers, you should use the lowest effective dose. Even though aspirin can be bought without a prescription, using this drug for anything other than pain should be first discussed with your health care provider.
Article contributed by Barry Patel, Pharm.D., member of the of MHWC Medical Advisory Board and President of Total Therapeutic Management, Inc.
