Do you still take low-dose aspirin daily?

[prodigyplace]

It is always good to get a stress test & CT-Scan to verify health. The CT-Scan assesses any calcium buildup in the arteries.

Years ago I was using a GP who didn't believe in stress tests for healthy people with good lipid levels. He said the only time a stress test was of value was when the patient had a heart attack on the treadmill.

As far as arterial calcium buildup, my current GP says if you get a high result, there is no known action to take.

What would you recommend for a healthy individual with normal lipids and normal blood pressure if the calcium scan is high?

I know for many people who show calcium buildup my cardiologist uses medications such as the generic form of Crestor.

[Goofproof]

I am supposed to take it. I was taking a full 325 one before I had what turned out to be my second heart attack. This was before I found out I had Sleep Apnea. The second attack wrecked my heart 35% output and a leaky valve, have limped along with it for 14 years, thanks to using XPAP. Doctors put me on 81mg, in 2005.

I quit taking it 6 months ago, due to brusing and leaking on blood draws. I take Lasix and Plavix daily, without it no brusing. I an diabetic, and do blood draws 3 times a day, you can see the difference in the thickness of the blood..... Jim

[ChicagoGranny]

I know for many people who show calcium buildup my cardiologist uses medications such as the generic form of Crestor.

Would that mean if a patient has an unsatisfactory lipid profile but no calcium buildup, lipid medications would NOT be recommended?

[zonker]

The thinking on this has changed due to some recent studies. Gramps and I discontinued daily aspirin a few years ago.

thank you for this. i'm operating under , apparently, old info which i believe said that taking low dose aspirin past age of 65 wasn't beneficial. (i'm 64)

will talk to my doc about it. or maybe just shoot him a question via his portal.

again, thanks.

[kteague]

This is something I've been debating in my mind. Several years ago my doc at that time (don't even remember which one) had a different slant on it. Since a baby aspirin was no longer thought to be effective, he told me to start taking 2 low dose aspirin each day. Been doing that for years. Think I need to see a doc new doc before making any decisions. The one I see now doesn't inspire confidience when it is such an important decision. No history of heart attack. Just slightly enlarged and I'm prone to fluid retention to the point where it gets in my chest, which was not termed CHF. Strong family hx of stroke. Something to think about.

[Okie bipap]

I have a strong family history of heart problems (mother and three brothers). To be truthful, I am more worried about blood clots than heart problems. I have had a couple in the past (non deep vein), so I will continue to take my aspirin every night before bed.

[Spot123]

My old GP told me that the original study that supported the daily aspirin only had males with previous heart condition in the sample so not necessarily applicable to those who never had a heart attack or women. But he figured it wouldn't hurt. He said sleep studies were a money-making sham. But I liked him.

My new GP/PA told me to stop because of the damage that aspirin and other NSAIDs can cause to the lining of the stomach. I didn't like them as much, am looking for a new GP.

But I stopped taking aspirin, and I started CPAP.

[CreativeChris]

I don't take it. My cardiologist told me it's not necessary and I do have a heart condition.

[Goofproof]

I don't take it. My cardiologist told me it's not necessary and I do have a heart condition.

I think our Doctors are too busy to waste their time writing articles. Jim

Most Doctors have real Jobs.

[jnk...]

But one or two are a real piece of work.

[Steve of Cornubia]

I rate my cardiologist very highly, based on his obvious expertise, impeccable credentials and tendency to avoid surgery until it is absolutely necessary (in his opinion). He has been my cardio guy since 2008, when I had a heart attack (four stents).

He has kept me on aspirin even though, as far as I can tell, I am on relatively few medications - just a statin and a low dose blood pressure tablet each day, along with the aspirin.

I am going to need bypass surgery at some point, along with a new heart valve, but he's keen to put that off until absolutely necessary, though falling energy levels indicate that might not be far off.

[LSAT]

That can be good and bad...when the time comes that you really need it you may not be in as good health as you seem to be now. Sometimes waiting is not the best answer.

[Steve of Cornubia]

That can be good and bad...when the time comes that you really need it you may not be in as good health as you seem to be now. Sometimes waiting is not the best answer.

Definitely, and I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Eleven years have passed since my heart attack and all has been well, relatively speaking, which says he was right to put off doing a bypass back then, as many cardiologists do.

Eleven years is a chunk of time though and so, at almost 63yo, I see that surgery coming along soon. I don't fancy undergoing a major op like that beyond 70 or so, not least because I firmly believe that, the older you get, the more 'dispensable' you seem to be to public health folks ...

[chunkyfrog]

I take aspirin on the advice of my doctor.
He seems to know what he is talking about.

[RobertS975]

FWIW, I am a physician (recently retired GI), and I have been taking an aspirin tablet in one dosage or another for over 35 years. It started out as a full strength 325mg tablet, then half of that, and now for many years,a coated 81mg tablet. As a community GI specialist, I have seen all kinds of NSAID and aspirin induced ulcer bleeds. But I have almost never seen one happen to someone who was taking a proton pump inhibitor such as omerprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or esomeprazole (Nexium).

And despite the sensationalist press reports about the side effects of PPIs, there is really no other class of medication that I can think of that is as safe as PPIs.