100 mg aspirin per day ?

[Guest]

Is it generally considered as "wise" to take 100 mg aspirin per day, being 50 years and older, in order to prevent heartproblems, while not having had heartproblems in the past ?

[MrX]

if I remember well

from when I was up on these things the dosage you mention is a

bit high second there

are contra indications for aspirin such as stomach wall irritation/bleeding...really this is the proper territory of your personal physician and eventually a specialist....I suspect most board members would be out of their depth.

[Old Hippie]

I work with a guy who has had a multiple bypass, and he takes one aspirin (low dose) a day as a blood thinner, claims his doctor told him to do so...I recall my father doing the same after one of his bypasses. Supposedly it keeps blood thin and keeps it from clotting...I would think they'd have a similar product without the stomach/hemroid problems associated with aspirin.

[SoiledCowboy]

I think that the recommended daily dose for aspirin, as preventitive measure and not an actual treatment, is 50mg, half a normal tablet - they have recently discovered as well, that taking aspirin in this method, can significantly reduce the chances of colon cancer, a major killer for males. A very interesting, cheap and available drug and I have taken it for a few years now, but only when I remember to do so, with a few breaks of usage.

It is also very successful at preventing attacks from rampaging elephants, and I can categorically state that I have yet to be attacked by any elephant! So it must work.

[dvarpala]

Apparently Aspirin also helps to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis.

 

Preventive measures for travellers

 

Although the added risk of developing a DVT caused by travelling appears to be low, it can be reduced even further by exercising the legs at least once every hour during long-distance travel. This means taking regular breaks if driving, or walking up and down the aisle of a coach, train or plane.

 

The muscles of the lower legs (which act as a pump for the blood in the veins) can be exercised while sitting by pulling the toes towards the knees then relaxing, or by pressing the balls of the feet down while raising the heel.

Other preventive measures:

 

* don't take sleeping pills. These cause immobility, increasing the risk of DVT

* wear loose-fitting clothing

* keep the legs uncrossed

* keep hydrated by drinking normally (urine should be no darker than a pale yellow). Avoid alcohol to prevent dehydration

* wear graduated compression stockings (TEDs). This is particularly important for travellers who have other risk factors for DVT

 

Some doctors recommend taking aspirin before travelling because of its blood thinning effects. But it is not suitable for children and can have side-effects. If in doubt, seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor.

 

People who have one or more of the risk factors mentioned earlier should seek medical advice before travelling.

 

Anyone who develops swelling or pain in the leg, or breathing problems after travelling should seek medical advice urgently.

[nkped]

The conventional wisdom is 81 mg a day. Companies market that dosage in North America for the express purpose of daily aspirin therapy. Have had a couple of medical professionals (an M.D. and a Physicians Assistant) recommend or speak well of the practice.

[think_too_mut]

SoiledCowboy said:

I think that the recommended daily dose for aspirin, as preventitive measure and not an actual treatment, is 50mg, half a normal tablet

 

I am looking at a package of Bayer aspirins right now, it is labeled "500mg".

 

So, 50mg would be 10% of a tablet.

I think there were "children edition" of aspirins, 100mg.

[SoiledCowboy]

Yeah, you're right, looking at the couple of aspirin packets lying around, both are 300mg aspirin per tablet, so half of one tablet would equal 150mg, and that's what seems to be recommended, half a standard tablet which already has the groove cut into the tablet to cut it in half, trying to divide it further than that just sees aspirin flying all over the room!

[lopburi3]

The normal aspirin size sold in the US is 325mg but many people believe they have supersize problems so they have 500mg available for them.

 

Here in Thailand the baby aspirin sold most places is 60mg.

 

think_too_mut said:

SoiledCowboy said:

I think that the recommended daily dose for aspirin, as preventitive measure and not an actual treatment, is 50mg, half a normal tablet

 

I am looking at a package of Bayer aspirins right now, it is labeled "500mg".

 

So, 50mg would be 10% of a tablet.

I think there were "children edition" of aspirins, 100mg.

[Zorro]

I was reading a medical article yesterday that stated that up to 40% of people may get no benefit at all from taking aspirin for heart conditions and that doctors never test for this 40% group.

Personally i would take aspirin as a very last resort as there are some unpleasant side effects.