It's one of a very small number of substances that is proven to reduce heart attack risk, the primary use nowadays. The low dose seems to be a decent balance between that and the increased risk of stomach issues, though only a clear benefit for people with significant risk of cardiovascular events.
If that's not you, then yes, ignore aspirin. If heart attack is how you are almost certainly going to die based on generations of evidence (thanks, Ashkenazi ancestors!) then get to know your favorite brand of 81 mg chiclets, and carry a full pill in your pocket at all times so you can chew it if and when The Thing happens. Better: get a good cardiologist, and do everything they suggest, including the meds. Don't at all listen to people who say that staying in shape and eating healthy is enough, because for those of us with the wrong genes it absolutely is not: I'm young, in great shape, and keep a healthier diet than most dieticians would even suggest, but I still have to take meds to keep my numbers in line.
Re:The history behind aspirin 81
by unethical_ban on Monday November 27, 2023 @04:41AM
(#38430291)
I just watched a movie that made me reevaluate my choices and career and love life. I know that my mother's family has a history of heart attack. And reading this makes me believe I should take little aspirin daily. I don't want to die.
Subsequent studies have shown that it’s only effective if you’ve already had a cardiovascular event. If you’ve never had one, starting aspirin therapy can actually create more problems that solves.
It's an NSAID, right? Which means it's bad for the stomach lining. So when I do have a high fever or a crushing headache, I'll use ibuprofen, which seems to me "stronger" than aspirin (I'm not a doctor, it's just how I perceive it). For short time, several days, and by the end I do feel my stomach saying "no more of this".
And when there's no need for "strong" NSAID, well then I won't use any at all. Maybe use paracetamol.
Either way I never got an use for aspirin.