Health Conditions
Talk with Your Doctor About Taking Aspirin to Prevent Heart Disease
The Basics
Overview
For some people, taking low-dose aspirin regularly can lower the risk of heart disease. But taking aspirin so often has health risks, too. Ask your doctor about starting to take aspirin regularly if you’re age 40 to 59 years, have never had heart disease or a stroke, and have any risk factors for heart disease, including:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Overweight or obesity
If you’re age 60 years or older, starting aspirin to prevent heart disease isn’t recommended because the health risks outweigh the possible benefits.
Usually, taking aspirin to prevent heart disease means taking it every day. Talk with your doctor about your health history and decide together whether taking low-dose aspirin is right for you.
Benefits and Risks
What are the benefits of taking aspirin regularly?
For people age 40 to 59 years who have a higher risk of heart disease, taking low-dose aspirin regularly can lower the risk of a first heart attack or stroke by preventing blood clots. Blood clots are clumps of thickened blood that can block blood flow to parts of the body. They can cause serious health problems or even death.
A blood clot can:
- Block blood flow to your heart and cause a heart attack
- Prevent blood from getting to your brain and cause a stroke
For some people, taking aspirin regularly can prevent blood clots and lower the risk of a first heart attack or stroke. If you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke, talk to your doctor about ways you can prevent another one.
What are the risks of taking aspirin regularly?
Taking aspirin regularly isn't right for everyone. For some people, it may cause side effects — like bleeding in the stomach, intestines, or brain. The risk of these problems goes up as you get older, too.
Talk with your doctor before you start taking aspirin. Be sure to tell your doctor about any health conditions you have (like stomach problems or bleeding problems).
Learn more about the benefits and risks of taking aspirin every day.
Take Action
Talk with Your Doctor
Take these steps to protect your health if you have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
Find out if daily aspirin is right for you.
Your doctor can help you decide if low-dose aspirin is the right choice for you based on your age and other factors. Talk with your doctor about:
- Your risk of heart attack or stroke
- The risks of taking aspirin regularly and the side effects it may cause
- What kind of aspirin to take
- How much to take
- How often to take it
It's important to tell your doctor about all the other medicines you take, including vitamins, herbs, and over-the-counter medicines (medicines you can get without a prescription). It may be dangerous to mix aspirin with other medicines.
Share your family’s health history.
Your family history affects your risk for heart attack and stroke. Use this family health history tool to keep track of your family’s health. Share this information with your doctor.
What about cost?
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover aspirin for certain people who have a high risk of heart disease. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get aspirin at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company to find out more.
Learn more about:
Aspirin Tips
Use aspirin safely.
If you and your doctor decide that regularly taking low-dose aspirin is right for you, follow these safety tips:
- Make sure you understand how much aspirin to take and how often to take it. Most people who take aspirin to prevent disease take 81 mg every day — though your doctor may recommend you take a higher dose every other day.
- Talk with your doctor before you start taking a new medicine or vitamin. Ask if it’s safe to take with aspirin.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. This means no more than 1 drink a day for women and no more than 2 drinks a day for men. Alcohol can increase some risks of taking aspirin regularly.
- Check with your doctor first if you want to stop taking aspirin regularly.
- Get more tips about using medicines safely.
Make it easy to remember.
Here are a few things that may help you remember to take aspirin regularly:
- Take it at the same time every day — for example, take it after you brush your teeth or when you eat breakfast
- Put a reminder note on your bathroom mirror where you will see it each day
- Use a weekly pillbox to keep track of the medicines you take each day
Healthy Habits
Take steps to protect your health.
There are many ways to stay healthy. Take these steps to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke:
Find out more about keeping your heart healthy and reducing your risk of stroke.
Content last updated September 17, 2024
Reviewer Information
This information on aspirin was adapted from materials from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Food and Drug Administration.
Reviewed by:
Sheena Harris, MD, MPH
Medical Officer, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Program
Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement (CEPI)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
