Aspirin is a pain reliever that also affects your cardiovascular system. Take aspirin on a regular basis to help lower your risk of developing a heart attack or stroke, but aspirin does not directly affect the strength of your heart. Instead, aspirin affects your blood's ability to clot.
Aspirin
Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication that belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory class of medications, commonly known as NSAIDs. Aspirin blocks some of the chemical signals in the body that lead to pain and inflammation and it is often used to treat minor aches and pains. Some forms of aspirin are "buffered," which means they are specially coated to not irritate the stomach, as the acid in aspirin can affect the cells that line your stomach.
Aspirin and Clotting
One of the side effects of aspirin is at it can help prevent pathological blood clots. In addition to its function as a pain reliever, aspirin also interferes with the chemical signals that lead to blood clot formation. Small blood clots can cause a heart attack or a stroke. As a result, taking aspirin can help prevent heart disease even if it does not directly strengthen your heart.
Who Should Take Aspirin
Aspirin is often recommended for people who have an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. As a result, your doctor may recommend that you take aspirin every day if you have a history of heart disease or easy blood clotting, if you smoke tobacco, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol or lipid levels, or if you have a family history of heart disease.
Risks
Aspirin is safe for many people to take, but it can cause some side effects. Regular consumption of aspirin may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. Aspirin can also cause gastritis and may increase your risk of developing a gastric ulcer. High doses of aspirin can also cause a ringing or buzzing in your ear. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may recommend a low dose of aspirin, such as baby aspirin.
