Aspirin For Women

[arlmon18]

CBS news had a report last night about women who should be taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, whether or not they have high BP, high cholesterol, etc. My cardio wants me to take a low dose 81 mg. coated aspirin every day (I've never had a heart attack), but do have high BP and cholesterol. I'm just worried about the side effects of stomach bleeding. Anyone have any opinion on this topic?

[wrmasylum]

I have a bad family history of heart disease on my Dads side. When i saw a cardiologist and told him this he put me one full dose aspirin a day. Been on it now for about three years and have no problems tolerating it. You have to weigh the good and the bad benefits of taking it and the good far outweigh the bad. Good Luck

[Connie122516]

An aspirin a day isn't likely to hurt the vast majority of people....and if you have a cardiologist, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, the benefit likely strongly outweighs any minimal risks (which are even more minimal at 81 mg and enteric coated).

On the other hand, if you are completely healthy and in your 20s or 30s, with no family history of heart disease or stroke, it probably isn't worth it until you are older.

My mom is 90 years old and DOES have gi bleeding periodically due to diverticulosis, and she still takes a "baby" aspirin every other day to prevent a stroke due to Afib.

[Lenin]

I've taken at least 650 mg. of aspirin a day for over 20 years with no problems at all.

Of course, anyone with bleeding problems like ulcers or colitis might want to be more vigilant.

[Beefsteak]

Originally Posted by Lenin

I've taken at least 650 mg. of aspirin a day for over 20 years with no problems at all.

Lenin, I think there must be a typo there - "650mg" is surely way too much for the blood thinning effect you want. With that level of aspirin you would be better looking at other ways to thin the blood. Are you paranoid about getting a blood clot?
With Aspirin one thing I wonder about is how the benefit would vary over a 24 hour period. Taking it for a headache, for example, I know the pain-killing benefit seems to wear off after 2-4 hours, thus any blood platelet stickiness benefit would, I expect, wear off too. Maybe that's where your 650mg comes in - 100mg six times a day would pretty much cover it I'm sure. But any Aspirin packet says not to take it that often.
Maybe it's the high you get?? It would numb my brain too!!
Beefsteak