Head Start
In the wide range of patients who could see large benefits, aspirin, regrettably, is not used nearly enough, according to Hennekens. Studies bear this out, including a survey last year of elderly heart attack survivors entering nursing homes, which found that fewer than one in five were taking aspirin.
According to the American Heart Association, 5,000 to 10,000 of the 900,000 lives lost each year to cardiovascular disease could be saved if more people took aspirin upon the first signs of a heart attack. Some typical signs are an uncomfortable pressure or pain in the center of the chest (sometimes along with lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating) or a pain going to the shoulders, neck and arms.
Aspirin should be used by "just about everyone" who has survived a heart attack or stroke due to a blocked blood vessel, Hennekens emphasizes, or who within the previous 24 hours has had symptoms of an evolving heart attack.
While appropriate aspirin use is important, experts say it is by no means a cure-all. "In the time crunch surrounding a heart attack, taking an aspirin provides you a head-start therapy and a better chance for a good outcome, Sopko says. "But it should never be a substitute for a physician's attention. "
And aspirin should not replace a healthy lifestyle or other helpful medical steps, FDA's Bowen says. "Physicians really need to look at aspirin in the context of complete care, as part of a whole treatment plan for people at risk of heart attack or stroke."
Three Drinks = No Pain RelieversAspirin and all other over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers for adults will soon carry a warning to people who drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day: Talk with your doctor before using these drugs. Heavy drinkers may have an increased risk of liver damage and stomach bleeding from these medicines, which contain aspirin, other salicylates, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or ketoprofen.
The alcohol warning is required under an FDA rule (distinct from the aspirin labeling rule) finalized last October. Some newer over-the-counter pain relievers, including Aleve (naproxyn sodium), Orudis KT and Actron (ketoprofen), Advil Liquigels (solubilized ibuprofen), and Tylenol Extended Release (acetaminophen), have already been required to carry a warning for heavy drinkers but were not required to include the specific risks. These products, too, will need to comply with the October rule.
