Aspirin for heart attack and unstable angina

People who are at high risk for coronary artery disease or who have established coronary artery disease benefit the most from aspirin therapy.

• Aspirin can lower the risk of a first heart attack and recurrent heart attacks.
• Aspirin may reduce the severity of a heart attack when taken immediately after symptoms begin.
• Aspirin may help improve the symptoms of unstable angina.
• Aspirin may lower the risk of death caused by heart disease.

But in people with a relatively low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the benefits of preventive aspirin therapy may be outweighed by the increased risk of bleeding problems.

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