When doctors talk about aspirin therapy, a daily low-dose regimen used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by preventing blood clots. Also known as low-dose aspirin, it’s one of the most studied treatments for cardiovascular protection—but it’s not right for everyone. Unlike pain relief doses, therapy uses just 75–100 mg a day, enough to block platelets from sticking together without causing major side effects in most people.
Aspirin therapy works by stopping an enzyme called COX-1, which tells blood cells to clump and form clots. That’s why it helps people who’ve already had a heart attack, stroke, or stent placed—it lowers the chance of another event. But it’s also used preventively in those with high risk: people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a strong family history of heart disease. Still, the benefits must outweigh the risks. Bleeding in the stomach or brain is rare, but serious. That’s why you never start aspirin therapy on your own.
It doesn’t work the same for everyone. Some people are resistant to aspirin’s effects, especially if they take other meds like ibuprofen at the same time. Others have stomach issues, ulcers, or allergies that make it unsafe. And for healthy older adults without prior heart problems, recent studies show the bleeding risk may cancel out the benefits. That’s why doctors now focus on personalized risk scores, not blanket advice.
Aspirin therapy often shows up in discussions about blood thinning, the process of reducing clot formation to prevent blockages in arteries, and it’s frequently compared to newer options like clopidogrel or rivaroxaban. But aspirin is still the go-to for many because it’s cheap, well-understood, and works fast. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, a type of drug that reduces swelling and pain by targeting body chemicals, which is why it’s used for arthritis and other chronic conditions—even if that’s not why your doctor prescribed it daily.
What you won’t find in most guides is how aspirin interacts with other meds you might be taking. If you’re on blood pressure pills, antidepressants, or even herbal supplements like ginkgo or fish oil, your risk of bleeding goes up. And if you’re preparing for surgery or dental work, you might need to pause it—sometimes for days. That’s why keeping a full list of everything you take matters.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve lived with aspirin therapy, doctors who’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and clear breakdowns of the science behind it. You’ll learn when it helps, when it hurts, and how to talk to your provider about whether it’s still right for you.
Aspirin is no longer recommended for most people to prevent their first heart attack or stroke. Learn who still might benefit from low-dose aspirin, who should avoid it, and what actually works better for heart health.
