The Early Show

New Findings On Aspirin Use

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 25, 2002 / 4:30 PM EST / CBS

Asprin is often called a wonder drug because it is used to treat and prevent many illnesses. CBS News Health Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay reports new findings on this medicine-cabinet staple on The Saturday Early Show.

We've known for years about how effective aspirin can be at reducing the risk of a heart attack. And you say we now have a better idea about how much aspirin someone should take.

A new study from the British Medical Journal found that most people at a high risk of heart attack or stroke should take one or two BABY aspirin a day -- NOT the regular-strength adult aspirin. Until recently, most doctors and heart specialists have prescribed 325 milligrams of aspirin a day to their at-risk patients. But this new study suggests the same benefits can come from 75 to 150 milligrams. Too much aspirin can lead to serious health problems such as internal bleeding.

How do I know if I'm a candidate for a daily dose of aspirin?

In conjunction with your physician, you need to determine your heart disease risk level. Your risk is determined by measuring statistics including your age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These are then calculated and many doctors will prescribe aspirin if your chances of having a heart attack are greater than 3 percent in the next five years.

If I'm at risk of having a heart attack and am taking a cholesterol-lowering drug, is it okay to continue to use aspirin?

Yes. Just because you are taking a cholesterol-lowering drug, it does not mean that you should stop taking your aspirin. Currently, there is no evidence that new drugs developed to treat high cholesterol also prevent heart attacks. Many doctors are afraid their patients will substitute these new medications, so this month a federal panel issued guidelines urging people not to forget their aspirin.

Don't you have to be careful about what other medications you take with aspirin?

Yes. A recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that ibuprofen, which is the main ingredient in several popular over-the-counter pain relievers, might cancel out the heart-healthy benefits you get from aspirin. So if you need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever and are on aspirin therapy, stick to one that contains acetaminophen.

We've been focusing on aspirin and heart attack prevention. Can aspirin prevent strokes?

A recent study in the journal Stroke, which is put out by the American Heart Association, found that aspirin appears to reduce the severity of a stroke. However, the same study found that regular aspirin users suffered more strokes than non-aspirin users.

But aspirin isn't for everyone?

People with aspirin allergies will want to avoid it, as will people with stomach ulcers. If you have more than three alcoholic drinks a day, your doctor will probably advise against an aspirin regime. It is also not recommended for people who have reduced live or kidney function.