Is an Aspirin a Day Good or Bad for Your Heart?
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Have you ever suffered a stroke or a heart attack? No doubt you may have taken some low-dose aspirin as a remedy. But is daily aspirin use a healthy choice?
This article will discuss the shocking side effects that a daily dose of aspirin has on your heart health.
What is aspirin?
Aspirin is a medication classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Aspirin was the first NSAID to be discovered.
Salicylate is an essential component of this drug. Salicylate is a compound present in myrtle and the willow tree. They were first used over 4000 years ago.
Even Hippocrates used the willow bark to treat fevers and pain. To date, some people still use it as a remedy for minor pain and headaches.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have the following effects:
- Reduces fever
- Relieves pain
- Higher doses can help to lower inflammation
It is important to note that NSAIDs are not steroids. While steroids may share similar benefits with NSAIDs, they are contraindicated in some people and may have disturbing side effects.
It is also important to note that NSAIDs are non-narcotic analgesics. This implies that they do not cause stupor.
Bayer, a German pharmaceutical firm, owns the aspirin trademark. Acetylsalicylic acid is the generic term for aspirin.
Medical uses of aspirin
Aspirin has several uses. These include relieving swelling and pain, managing some health conditions, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Some uses of aspirin include:
1. Relieving swelling and pain
Aspirin relieves mild to moderate swelling, pain, or both caused by underlying health conditions such as:
- Menstrual cramps
- The flu or cold
- Migraine and arthritis
