Recommendation Number 9:

Low Dose Aspirin

Reduce Risk of Sudden Death and Disability With Baby Aspirin

The most common cause of disability and death in the United States is an abnormal clot that develops inside an artery to cause a heart attack (blocked blood vessel in the heart), or a stroke (blocked blood vessel in the brain). Aspirin has an immediate and lasting effect on blood platelets, making them less likely to clump together and making blood flow smoothly. Taking a low-dose aspirin tablet (81 mg) each day has been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and transient ischemic attacks (little strokes).

More than 50 randomized trials have documented the safety and effectiveness of aspirin as a cardiovascular drug.1 Low-dose aspirin is advised by legions of physicians as well as a 70-member panel convened by the American College of Chest Physicians, which recommended aspirin for all people over 50 with one risk factor and no conditions that make aspirin use inadvisable. This translates into the majority of people over 50, since risk factors for heart disease include male gender, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, and family history of heart attack or stroke.2

In fact, aspirin is commonly considered a “miracle”drug and it is expected to have many undiscovered health benefits. A study done in 2003 in people with a high risk of dementia showed that a combination of aspirin and B-vitamins reduced the biochemical factors associated with cognitive impairment.3

Cardiovascular Health With Low Dose Aspirin

While there are many nutrients that can reduce the risk of an abnormal blood clot forming inside a blood vessel, it is still beneficial for most people to take aspirin in the low dose.

Enteric-coated means each tablet has a protective coating that allows it to go directly to the intestines without being dissolved in the stomach, making it less likely to cause stomach disturbances. Life Extension’s Low Dose Aspirin is enteric-coated to minimize stomach irritation. It should be taken with a heavy meal to further decrease the possibility of stomach problems. A bottle containing 500 (81-mg) tablets of Low Dose Aspirin retails for $10.00. Members of the Life Extension Foundation® pay $7.50 per bottle.

Caution: The daily use of aspirin might not be right for everyone. Recent studies indicated that for patients with Type 2 diabetes, low-dose aspirin as primary prevention may not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.4 Please note that non-compliance may cause aspirin “resistance”, i.e., hyporesponsiveness to aspirin in a platelet function test.5 Aspirin “resistant” patients or “poor responders” to aspirin (which occurs in 10% to 20% of patients) may have higher risk for recurrent cardiovascular ischemic events.6-8 If you are considering daily low-dose aspirin therapy, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Warnings

• Reye’s syndrome: Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
• Alcohol warning: If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take aspirin or other pain relievers/fever reducers. Aspirin may cause stomach bleeding.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug for anticoagulation (blood thinning), gout, diabetes, or arthritis.
• Allergy alert: Stop use and ask a doctor if new symptoms occur or an allergic reaction occurs. Seek medical help right away if pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days, redness or swelling is present, or if ringing in the ears or loss of hearing occurs.
• If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use aspirin during the last three months of pregnancy unless specifically directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have: asthma, ulcers, bleeding problems, or stomach problems (such as heartburn, upset stomach or stomach pain) that persist or recur.

More Info on Cardiovascular Health (Aspirin)