More Information About Aspirin and the Heart

Aspirin has been known to save lives but it is important to realize that taking aspirin daily is not necessarily for everyone. If you have not been diagnosed with heart problems then to do so would probably prove detrimental in the long-term and could end up damaging your heart. Always speak with your doctor before you make the decision to start taking aspirin every day. Aspirins discourages the formulation of clots in the blood and this can cause side effects that are not always good such as bleeding that takes place in the brain and bleeding in the stomach.

Aspirin is not recommended for those who have high blood pressure that is still uncontrolled; those who suffer from kidney and liver disease; those with stomach ulcers; blood-clotting disorders or people who have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Aspirin is also not good for those people who have ever had or run the risk of suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. This is the kind of stroke that is not brought on by a clot but instead is caused by bleeding either around the brain or into it.

Those people with asthma must proceed with caution when it comes to aspirin as aspirin sometimes can trigger an asthma attack, especially in those with recurring asthma. People who are currently taking drugs to thin their blood such as Coumadin must first speak with their doctor before beginning aspirin therapy. Sometimes the combination of the two can bring on a variety of bleeding problems.

If your doctor does believe that aspirin therapy is right for your particular condition then he will recommended a low-dose aspirin for you to take on a daily basis. Be aware that alcohol and aspirin do not mix well together. When you are on low-dose aspirin therapy consuming three or more types of alcoholic beverages on a daily basis could greatly increase the chances that bleeding will occur in the stomach and also that your liver will be damaged. Limit your use of alcohol when you are on low-dose aspirin therapy or better yet, quit drinking all together.

Aspirin can react badly with a multitude of both prescription as well as over-the-counter medications, which includes such things as herbal supplement, dietary supplements and vitamins. Make your doctor aware of what other medications you are taking before you begin aspirin therapy and find about all potential side effects.

If you are scheduled for medical or dental surgery and are on low-dose aspirin therapy your doctor will tell you to stop taking the aspirin at least five days before you are to be operated on. The reason for this is that aspirin decreases the body's ability to clot blood and when it comes to surgery there is generally bleeding and therefore your body will need to be able to clot properly.

Be aware that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as for example ibuprofen and naproxen work just like aspirin to relieve both pain and inflammation however they play no role in blood clotting like aspirin does. If your doctor tells you to take aspirin then take aspirin. Never substitute one drug for another.