ASA for heart attack and unstable angina
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) ASA, ASA Enteric Coated, Anacin, Bufferin How It Works
ASA works quickly (within 15 minutes) to prevent the formation of blood clots, decreasing the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Generic or store brands are as effective as brand-name ASA.
Why It Is Used
ASA may be used:
- During a heart attack, in which case it should be chewed (not swallowed whole).
- For people with stable angina.
- For the treatment of unstable angina.
- For people with atrial fibrillation who cannot take warfarin.
- For people who have heart disease, to help reduce the risk of a heart attack.
- For healthy men over age 40 who have one or more risk factors for heart disease, as long as their blood pressure is controlled and the benefit of ASA is greater than the risks.
- For healthy women over age 65, or women over 65 who have one or more risk factors for heart disease, as long as their blood pressure is controlled and the benefit of ASA is greater than the risks.
- After bypass surgery or angioplasty is performed.
- For people who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or surgery to prevent a stroke (carotid endarterectomy).
How Well It Works
Studies show that people who are at high risk for coronary artery disease or who have established coronary artery disease benefit the most from ASA therapy. One large study showed that people ages 65 and older with both heart failure and coronary artery disease had a significantly lower death rate when they took ASA on a regular basis.1
- ASA decreases the risk of a first heart attack and recurrent heart attacks.2
- ASA may reduce the severity of a heart attack when taken immediately after symptoms begin. One study showed that those who took ASA during their heart attack and for 1 month after were less likely to die from a subsequent heart attack or stroke than those who did not take ASA.3
- ASA may help improve the symptoms of unstable angina.
However, in people with a relatively low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the benefits of preventive ASA therapy may be outweighed by the increased risk of bleeding problems.2
Side Effects
Side effects of ASA include:
- Stomach inflammation (gastritis).
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Allergic reaction.
- Increased bruising and bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain (rare) or other internal organs of the body.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Some doctors believe that people who have two or more risk factors for coronary artery disease should take ASA every day. Others are concerned that long-term daily ASA use will increase the risk of stomach problems or hemorrhagic stroke
when untreated high blood pressure is present.
Expert guidelines recommend 75 mg to 162 mg daily. One low-dose ASA contains 81 mg. One regular-strength ASA contains about 325 mg.4 Consult your doctor before using ASA on a regular basis.
Because ASA reduces your blood's ability to clot, your doctor may want you to stop taking ASA at least 5 days before surgery or before a dental procedure that may cause excessive bleeding.
Researchers have looked into whether taking NSAIDs—such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin, for example)—interferes with ASA's ability to prevent a heart attack. Studies have found mixed results.5, 6 To address this possible concern, some doctors recommend that you simply take ASA at least 2 hours before taking NSAIDs to reduce the likelihood of an interaction between the two medicines.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: February 26, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
 | ||
| |
| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |