How early or at what age is it ok to start taking aspirin in small doses to prevent heart disease?
Filed under: Heart Disease — admin @ 6:03 pmHi,
My father has had two quadruple bypasses and two heart attacks so I know a little bit about heart conditions. I am 24 right now and I want to reduce the chances of ever getting coronary heart disease. I know that low doses of aspirin around 75-81mg are prescribed to people with heart conditions to "thin" the blood and today I read an article about how not enough people take aspirin as a precaution against heart attacks. I also know that aspirin even in mild doses can cause ulcers, especially if you drink, which I do quite frequently. I wanted to know if now is a good time to start taking aspirin because even though i exercise and eat healthy and do some cardio, I also smoke, and I probably am genetically more likely to develop heart disease….Does anyone know the answer to this? Also would aspirin make me more prone to getting dizzy and unable to perform more strenuous activity because it ‘thins’ my blood? Thanks a lot for reading this.
abby,
Low-dose aspirin can be started anytime, since 81mg aspirin tablets have only one side effect. We’ll get to that in a moment.
You’d be much better off changing your diet and lifestyle now.
1. Stop smoking now. Never, ever restart. It killed my dad, and he’s not alone in that.
2. Stop drinking now. You can drink a little now and then, but don’t drink "frequently" any more.
3.Now, about your diet: the three diets (these are not diets to lose weight but diets to live on for your whole life) that have shown the most promise are the Ornish Diet (very low fat), the Mediterranean Diet (controlled fat, most of which is plant monounsaturated and fish), and the Portfolio Diet from the University of Toronto (includes "plant sterols" or oils from canola, olive, and almond), which are very good at preventing heart disease.
Go on a diet like this, do it now, and do not cheat.
Now, while you probably don’t need to go on aspirin for another six to eleven years (your choice), you could go on it anytime.
You will not be dizzy from aspirin. In fact, you will not be able to tell that you take it. I run 20-30 miles a week and I take it. Have done for years.
If you do, however, there is one event you will need to watch out for–cataracts. You most likely will not get them if you wear good UV-blocking sunglasses, but you must wear them. There is an elevation in the rate of cataract formation in people taking aspirin therapy than in those who do not.
Cataracts are enclouding formations in the lens of the eye, making your vision in that eye cloudy. It forms very slowly, over years, but you can watch your vision cloud a little more each year when you get them. The treatment for this is easy, quick, and simple, but it is surgery, and you will need glasses afterward.
So, go ahead and take aspirin whenever you wish, but when you do, wear good sunglasses every time you go outside on even a halfway sunny day.
Mail this post
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women. But, as Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., a former internationally known surgeon, researcher and clinician at the Cleveland Clinic, explains, it can be prevented, reversed, and even abolished. Dr. Esselstyn argues that conventional cardiology has failed patients by developing treatments that focus only on the symptoms of heart disease, rather than the cause.
Participants at the 8th annual Science & Leadership Symposium — a joint effort by Mayo Clinic’s Women’s Heart Clinic and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease — gained insight into their disease Oct. 10 through 14 in Rochester, Minn. They also met and networked with their new heart sisters from across the country, and made plans to go back into their communities and raise awareness of heart disease in women.
UCSF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents this series exploring the latest science about the treatment and managment of Cardiovascular disease. Join William Grossman, MD., Chief, Division of Cardiology, UCSF for a look at the use of drug therapy in the treatment of Atherosclerotic Heart and Vascular Disease. Series: “UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public” [2/2006] [Health and Medicine] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 11317]
Be My Friend – http://www.myspace.com/psychtruth
UCSF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents Dr. Deepak Srivastava of the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Srivastava discusses the genetics of heart disease. Series: “UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public” [8/2006] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 11730]
Drs. Edelman and Blanchard discuss what you can do now to reduce your risk for heart disease. Series: Taking Control of Your Diabetes [4/2008] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 14346]
Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart present at birth. They result when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception and often before the mother is aware that she is pregnant. 
Dr. Dahlman’s video explains the symptoms of heart disease which can include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Heart disease symptoms may develop if you smoke, are obese or inactive, have a family member with symptoms of heart disease or have a poor diet. Symptoms of heart disease can be eliminated with a healthier diet.
NOFX
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of both men and women in the US. Coronary heart disease kills almost 700,000 people each year. Coronary heart disease occurs when arteries that supply the heart become narrowed and may cause a heart attack. Dr. Dahlman’s video describes how coronary heart disease can be reversed or prevented by a healthier diet.
Television pitchman Billy Mays likely died of a heart attack in his sleep, but further tests are needed to be sure of the cause of death, a medical examiner said Monday. (June 29)
Modern technologies are making great strides in treating cardiovascular disease. However prevention is still the best option for most of us. The UCSD Cardiovascular Center presents a talk by Dr. Michael Criqui on the strategies to prevent heart disease. Series: “UCSD Cardiovascular Center: Cardiovascular Update” [10/2001] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 5989]
http://www.encognitive.com
Animation by David Aten (atenmedicalart.com) depicting new treatments for end stage heart disease. Music by Ron Harrity (ideaofnorth.com). Copyright 2002 Aten Medical Art.
MV : MC Sniper (스나이퍼) & Outsider (아웃사이더) feat Horan (호란) (Clazziquai Project 클래지콰이) – 심장병 (Heartache)
song
Preventing Heart Disease and Heart Attack Educational Video. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HPA axis & Stress Bjorntorp
Millions of Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease and Coronary Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in the country today.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart diseases include coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, ischaemic (ischemic) heart disease, peripheral artery disease and can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Dr. Dahlman’s video explains how heart disease can be prevented or reversed with a proper diet, but only managed with heart disease medications.