The Bayer Company tells us to “Take it for pain. Take it for life.” Unfortunately, the decision to take Aspirin is not that simple. Salicylates, discovered by the ancient Greeks, were originally derived from the bark of the willow tree and found to reduce fever. In 1900, the Bayer Company began manufacturing Aspirin (also known as Acetylsalicylic Acid, or ASA). A century later, we’re still discovering Aspirin’s amazing powers.
Aspirin Can:
- Reduce fever
- Relieve pain
- Thin the blood, reducing risk of stroke and heart attack
- Limit the damage from a heart attack
- Reduce inflammation
- Prevent colitis flares
The Dangers Of Aspirin Are:
- Bleeding and Bruising
- Gastritis (stomach irritation) and Ulcer
- Allergy
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Reyes Syndrome in children
Aspirin irreversibly impairs platelet function, slowing your ability to clot, thus preventing heart attack and stroke. It can thin the blood in as little as five minutes. On the flip side, it takes two weeks for your clotting to normalize after stopping Aspirin.
In addition, Aspirin decreases inflammation and fever by blocking prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandin is important in protecting the stomach lining from acid. As many as 2 million Americans have gastritis each year, many of whom take aspirin or similar anti-inflammatory medications called NSAIDs. The gastrointestinal and bleeding risks of Aspirin are cumulative when it is taken with similar drugs.
Aspirin Is Risky If Taken With:
- Any blood thinners (warfarin, plavix, etc.)
- Any anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- Ginkgo Biloba (often used for memory)
- Evening Primrose Oil (often used for hot flashes)
- Fish Oil (often used to lower cardiac risk)
When Should A Healthy Person Take Daily Aspirin?
| Age to Begin | Age to Quit | Notes | |
| Men | 45
|
79 |
*US Preventive Task Force 2009 |
| Women | 55
|
79 |
If you have multiple cardiac risk factors or have had a stroke or heart attack, you should take a daily anti-platelet drug. See your doctor and make certain you’re taking appropriate precautions.
Which One and How Much?
For prevention, I recommend 81 mg of Aspirin daily. This dose sufficiently thins the blood with limited risk of hemorrhage and ulcer. Any generic Aspirin is fine. And don’t bother with enteric-coated aspirin. The local effect of aspirin on the stomach lining is inconsequential. The effects of aspirin occur after it’s absorbed, well beyond the limits of the coating itself.
When it comes to balancing risks and benefits of a potentially dangerous drug, prevention is a tricky game. Listen to your physician, be sure to make healthy eating a priority, quit smoking, and exercise regularly. Taking a daily Aspirin is only one facet of your prevention strategy.
