Aspirin in heart attack

Aspirin in heart attack plays a major role to prevent the recurrent episodes of attacks. Aspirin is one of commonest drug available as over the counter drug (OTC Drug-can be obtained from the pharmacy without the prescription of a doctor).

What is aspirin?
Aspirin contains the molecule of Acetyl Salicylic Acid(ASA).Aspirin is prepared from the trunk of willo tree. It is initially most commonly used as an analgesic drug to alleviate the joint pains.

But due to its dangerous side effects the usage as a pain killer was reduced.

The Role of Aspirin in heart health

The daily intake of 75 mg of aspirin decreases of the incidence of heart attack. It is popularly known as the early morning pill. As the incidence of heart attack is more common in the early morning.

The people who are at high risk of having heart attack may take aspirin.

Aspirin in heart attack episode
During the heart attack 325mg of aspirin is given as a loading dose with other essential drugs like 75mg of clopidgrel & sublingual administration of 10mg Isosorbitrate.Then it is followed by daily intake of 150mg of aspirin.

How does the aspirin work?

Aspirin prevents heart attack by blocking the aggregation of platelets it is a normal mechanism in blood endothelial cells. It blocks the cyclo-oxygenase pathway and thereby decreases the platelet production by Thrombaxane A2.Because the platelet aggregation is decreased the formation of arteriosclerosis also inhibited.Arterionsclerosis is the culprit of heart attack.

Side effects or adverse effects of aspirin
 

Though it aspirin in heart attack is very useful it may cause dangerous effects as i have mentioned earlier. The commonest side effects are aspirin sensitivity, gastric irritation or acid peptic disease and aspirin induced asthma.

In conclusion though the aspirin in heart attack prevention plays a important role it should not be taken without the guidance of a physician.

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