Benefits and Controversies in Aspirin a Day

Taking aspirin daily can be a lifesaving option to many but it is not for everyone.

What is aspirin and what does it do?

Aspirin is a basic tablet for pain (toothache, headaches, body aches) and fever. It was found out to have blood-thinning effect on the body. It has also been proven in research that it has anti-inflammatory action (for swelling, arthritis) and has anti-cancer or anti-tumor properties. Aspirin was also found to prevent or lower the risk of heart attack. Because of this, doctors will more likely prescribe aspirin to you if you have had a heart attack or stroke, or you are at the risk of having one.

How can aspirin prevent heart attack and stroke?

Aspirin contains properties that make your blood thinner and more fluid. When fatty deposits build up inside your blood vessels (arteries), you have what is called atherosclerosis. Fatty deposit in your blood lining can burst. The blood fragments that are thick and sticky, containing fat deposit, can be carried through the blood stream and may lodge to a small-caliber vessel (in the brain or heart) resulting to a blockage, leading to stroke or heart attack. The natural blood-clotting properties in your blood (platelets) can seal off the flow resulting to loss of circulation and oxygen. Aspirin reduces the clumping action of platelets and thus preventing heart attack or stroke.

What is the dose of daily aspirin?

Daily aspirin therapy is not dose-related, unlike in the past when a high dose of aspirin was believed to be necessary or needed. Many studies, more particularly the Norwegian study, found out that the effect of less than 30 mg of daily aspirin is the same as that of 200 mg.

Controversies or complications in daily aspirin use

1. Gastrointestinal bleeding. Daily aspirin use increases your risk of developing stomach ulcer. Taking aspirin with other anti-inflammatory substances (ibuprofen and other medicines for arthritis) increases the possibility of stomach erosion secondary to medicine.

2. Allergic reaction. There are some people who are allergic to aspirin. Allergic reaction can be a life-threatening event.

3. Bleeding problem. Too much aspirin can cause a bleeding problem and even stroke (hemorrhagic stroke).

4. Aspirin can interact with an anti-coagulant (warfarin, Coumadin, heparin, corticosteroids). It can also interact with herbal supplements (omega-3 fatty acid, ginkgo). Discuss with your doctor if you are taking other drugs and herbal supplements.