Question: I’m an 89 year old man and I take an aspirin every day for my heart. A friend told me that it is no longer recommended that we do this. It seems to make sense to me that since aspirin thins the blood it would lessen the risk of heart attack or stroke. My doctor agrees. Do you think I should I keep going with aspirin?


Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Aspirin interferes with your blood's clotting action. Aspirin therapy reduces the clumping action of platelets — possibly preventing heart attack and stroke. You should consider daily aspirin therapy especially if you have had a heart attack or stroke, or you have a high risk of either, with your doctor's approval. And you have it, so, please continue with your aspirin.