ASA use for symptoms of a heart attack

ASA reduces the risk of heart attack by inhibiting the formation of blood clots, which can block blood flow through a blood vessel.

At the first sign of a heart attack, chew one adult ASA (325 mg) or 4 low-dose ASA (80 mg each). The first ASA tablet that you take for a heart attack should be chewed whether or not it has a coating. The coating keeps the pill from dissolving quickly in your stomach and delays the beneficial effect of ASA in the bloodstream.

Be sure to tell emergency personnel or any other doctor that you have taken ASA and when you took it.

Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: June 22, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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