Aspirin & Coronary Artery Disease

Aspirin can be beneficial to some patients who suffer from coronary artery disease. When taken daily, this over-the-counter medication can help to prevent dangerous blood clots that are associated with heart attacks and strokes. However, there are some risks involved with daily aspirin therapy. A patient should take aspirin every day only under strict doctor supervision.

Benefits of Aspirin

Daily aspirin therapy can be very beneficial under the supervision of a physician. Aspirin has been proven to lower the risk of primary and secondary heart attacks in some patients. It can also help to prevent debilitating or deadly strokes. The American Heart Association recommends aspirin therapy to qualifying patients who have experienced heart attacks or who may be at high risk of having one.

How it Works

Aspirin can offer a few benefits to those with coronary artery disease. For one, it helps to relieve pain that's very common to those with heart problems. The biggest benefit of aspirin, however, is its anti-clotting action. Prostaglandins in the bloodstream encourage platelets to clump together and form dangerous blood clots. Aspirin, however, inhibits prostaglandins and lowers the risk of death from heart attacks or strokes.

Risks

Although aspirin can be very beneficial to some patients with coronary artery disease, there are risks involved with taking the medicine every day. Because aspirin is an anti-clotting medication, it can encourage excessive bleeding and complicate some medical issues. Aspirin can also irritate the stomach lining, encouraging stomach pain and ulcers. In very rare cases, some people have severe allergic reactions to aspirin.

When to Avoid Aspirin

Daily aspirin therapy carries some risk for every patient. However, there are patients who should never opt for aspirin therapy, as they are much more likely to experience serious side effects. Those who suffer from a bleeding disorder, stomach ulcers or asthma should avoid daily use of aspirin. Other factors that increase risks include smoking, drinking alcohol and taking counteractive medications.

Directions for Use

Aspirin therapy for the treatment of coronary artery disease is a daily routine. There is no universal, pre-determined amount of aspirin to be taken daily. A physician should supervise the daily therapy and determine how much aspirin is to be taken by each patient. While some people take a small dose of baby aspirin each day, others are recommended to take a full, regular-strength dose.