How can I avoid side effects if I take aspirin to prevent heart disease?

Aspirin-induced bleeding is more likely to occur in people who have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, ulcers, or bleeding problems, and in those who regularly take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generic), another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven, generic).

For heart disease prevention, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends an aspirin dose of 81 mg a day, the amount in a baby aspirin, which seems to work just as well as higher doses, with fewer bleeding problems. In theory, taking aspirin with a protective coating, known as enteric-coated aspirin, should help avoid ulcers and other stomach-related side effects, as the coating allows the aspirin to pass through the stomach to the intestine before dissolving. But aspirin that gets to stomach tissues via the bloodstream can irritate the stomach, too. In addition, there's some evidence that not all the aspirin in a coated pill gets into the circulation.