Aspirin and Heart Attacks

posted 01/15/2010
You may have seen the growing trend of healthcare practitioners prescribing aspirin for those at risk of a heart attack. Aspirin is a long standing over the counter drug that has been around for a long time. How does it work and why is it being used in this new way?

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, has several health benefits including pain reducer, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory. It also has one other important property in heart attacks… it has an antiplatelet effect which prohibits blood clotting. Since many heart attacks are caused by blood clots forming in the heart’s arteries, this effect is extremely important in lessening the damage to the heart from clot formation. For this reason, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe regular ongoing use of aspirin in preventing these clots if they feel you maybe at risk.

You should never begin taking aspirin without the direction of your physician as serious side effects can occur which includes ulcers, stomach bleeding and ringing in the ears. Aspirin has also been linked to Reye's syndrome in children and adolescents. It may also be contraindicated in people taking other blood thinning medications such as Coumadin, as the combined effect may be too great.

If experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack and aspirin has not been contraindicated by your doctor, the EMTs and paramedic may give you a dosage of 324 milligrams (2 adult aspirin) upon their arrival, to stop further expansion of a clot forming in the heart. Other similar medications such as Plavix and heparin may also be ordered by the online physician. In severe cases, a clot busting drug may be administered prior to the hospital to actually break up the existing clot in the heart.

The best treatment is always prevention, so see your healthcare practitioner regularly, control your cholesterol, blood pressure and other risk factors. If you do experience the symptoms of a heart attack, stay calm and call 9-1-1. Help is on the way.

Chief Jim Cole from San Juan Island EMS has been a Nationally Registered Paramedic for more than 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health and a Master of Art Degree in Higher Education. He is designated as a Chief Medical Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a Senior Wilderness Medicine Instructor with the SOLO School of Wilderness and Emergency Medicine. Suggestions for future topics can be sent to chief@sanjuanems.org.