Should I Take Baby Aspirin to Help Prevent a Heart Attack?

Should I Take Baby Aspirin to Help Prevent a Heart Attack? (1:03)

Taking baby aspirin may help prevent a heart attack -- in some people. In this WisePatient video, cardiologist Merle Myerson, MD, discusses the best candidtates for baby-aspirin therapy.

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[MUSIC] Baby aspirin, or known as low doze aspirin, 81 milligrams in general is helpful for many patients, but it's not for everybody. For example low risk patients with zero or one risk factor, generally do not need to take an aspirin. Patients at high risk with diabetes or have already had a stroke of heart attack, or multiple risk factors, generally it's important to take that aspirin.

If you're in the middle group, good to talk with your health care provider to see if an aspirin would be helpful for you. Baby aspirin or the low-dose aspirin is generally very safe but some people with the history of some gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions should not be taking an aspirin.

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