How Does Aspirin Benefit the Heart?
Aspirin benefits the heart in several ways:
- Decreases inflammation. Inflammation is a component of plaque build-up and inflamed plaque is more likely to cause a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin fights the inflammation associated with heart disease by blocking the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. When this enzyme is blocked, the body is less able to produce prostaglandins, which are chemicals that (among other functions) facilitate the inflammatory response.
- Inhibits blood clots. Some prostaglandins in the blood trigger a series of events that cause blood platelets to clump together and form blood clots. Thus, when aspirin inhibits prostaglandins, it inhibits the formation of blood clots as well. Blood clots are harmful because they can clog the arteries supplying the heart muscle and brain, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and reduce the short-term risk of death among people suffering from heart attacks.
- Reduces the risk of death. Research has shown that regular aspirin use is associated with a reduction in death from all causes, particularly among the elderly, people with heart disease, and people who are physically unfit.
Who May Benefit From Aspirin Therapy?
- People with coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis anywhere in the body (such as the brain or legs)
- People who have had a heart attack*
- People who have undergone bypass surgery or angioplasty/stent placement to treat heart disease, or have angina (chest pain)
- People who have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke
* If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911. If you do not have a history of aspirin allergy, emergency personnel may advise that you chew one standard 325-milligram aspirin slowly. It's especially effective if taken within 30 minutes of the onset of symptoms.