$Unique_ID{BRK01880}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Aspirin:  Correct Dosage for Heart Disease}
$Subject{Aspirin dose Dosage Heart Disease diseases atherosclerosis
Physician's Health Study risk risks platelet platelets clot clotting blood
protect protection protective react reaction reactions effect effects side
adverse heartburn abdominal stomach ache pain discomfort gastritis peptic
ulcer ulcers}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Artherosclerosis of Arteries*0009301.scf
Complications of Atherosclerosis*0009401.scf
Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis*0009302.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Aspirin:  Correct Dosage for Heart Disease


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QUESTION:  My husband's doctor has him on a daily aspirin for his heart
condition.  That's made me very attentive to all the stories that are written
about this in all the papers.  That is where I have become confused.  Could
you please tell me how a simple aspirin is supposed to work in cases like
this, and just what the right dose is?  Everyone seems to have a different
opinion.  Thank you for your help.

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ANSWER:  I suppose I could provide you with a totally valid answer, and advise
that you follow your own doctor's counsel.  After all, he does know your
husband's condition better than I do, but somehow I don't think that is the
intent of your question.  So let's approach your question from a different
perspectives, and furnish you with as much of the background information as I
can.  The interest in the use of aspirin in heart disease and atherosclerosis
dramatically increased after the publication of the Physician's Health Study,
in which more than 22,000 male physicians participated.  In that study, the
physicians who took a single 325 mg aspirin (the dose contained in a regular
over-the-counter variety of aspirin) every other day apparently reduced their
risk of a fatal heart attack by 66 percent.  The results were explained by the
action of aspirin which reduces the ability of platelets to clump, the first
action in clot formation in the blood.
     Since that time there have been other studies, some confirming this
effect, others that failed to do so.  Different aspirin doses were used in
some studies, but overall, the protective effects of aspirin were judged to be
real.  Since some people experience serious side effects from aspirin, such as
heartburn, abdominal pain and discomfort, gastritis and peptic ulcer disease,
it is felt that the lowest possible dose should be used.  And that is where
some of the confusion exists.
     At present several doses are used for this indication.  A commonly used
regimen prescribes a single 325 mg aspirin tablet daily, while many doctors
prefer giving their patients this dose on an every other day schedule.
Because this may be confusing, some doctors prefer using 1/2 an aspirin, or
the smaller sized aspirins that contain only 160 mg, on a daily basis.  Recent
investigation have shown that daily doses as low as 40 - 70 mg may also be
effective, with a greatly reduced chance of side effects.  So you see, in the
final analysis your own doctor's judgement is probably the most sound.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.