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Heart surgeon says two people could benefit from taking a low dose of aspirin daily
Aspirin is most commonly known as a painkiller, but it also has great cardiovascular benefits and can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
A heart surgeon has shared two types of people who could benefit from taking a low dose of aspirin daily to lower their risk of having a cardiovascular event.
Two people who could benefit from daily aspirin
Speaking on TikTok, Dr. Jeremy London said you should speak to a doctor about taking aspirin daily if you:
- Have had a heart attack or stroke in the past
- Are at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke
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Low-dose aspirin helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who are at high risk of them by disabling their platelets, the small cell fragments in our blood that form clots. This makes the blood less sticky and helps to prevent clotting.
A heart attack occurs when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, while a stroke happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. Both of these medical emergencies are usually caused by blood clots.
Aspirin can stop people who have had a stroke or a heart attack in the past have another one and prevent high-risk people from having a cardiovascular event. For example, those who have had heart surgery or have chest pain (angina) caused by heart disease, the NHS explains.
However, you should only take daily aspirin if you have been advised to by your doctor as it does come with some risks, particularly a greater risk of bleeding.
While platelets can cause blood clots, they are also responsible for stopping bleeding when you are injured internally or externally. They circulate within the blood and bind together when they recognize damaged blood vessels.
When daily aspirin is taken, your body can’t stop bleeding as effectively, so it could cause excessive bleeding.
8 ways to reduce your risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 13% of the world’s total deaths. However, everyone can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.
Here are 10 things you can do right now, as outlined by the NHS:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Be more physically active
- Keep to a healthy weight
- Give up smoking
- Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink
- Keep your blood pressure under control
- Keep your diabetes under control
- Take any prescribed medicine
Dr. Jeremy London is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with more than 31 years experience who has his own practice in Savannah, Georgia. He gained his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia.
