Patients with evidence of coronary  artery disease, congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the left side of the heart), DISEASE OF THE HEART VALVES, ARRHYTHMIAS (irregular heart beat) have a several-fold increase in the risk of stroke.  In some studies the risks for stroke for MVP patients shows to be 4 times greater.  Those with MVP and regurgitation have an added risk because of the blood going back into the atrium.

    Studies have shown the people with atrial fibrillation who take daily doses of aspirin or warfaring have a reduction of up to 80 percent in their risk of stroke.

    The effects of aspirin are so beneficial to the cardiovascular system that some ads carry the seal of the American Heart Association.  According to the manufacturer of aspirin, Bayer Corp., of the 80 million aspirin tablets Americans take each day, most of them are taken not for everyday aches and pains but to reduce the risk of heart disease.  

     Based on studies, the FDA has approved its use to treat some of  cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and stroke.   The FDA has provided a rule  and has given doctors updated information about the use of aspirin for men and women who have had a heart attack or stroke and those at high risk for them.

     Under this new rule, recommended doses where much lower than what had been prescribed.  Generally doses of  50-325 milligrams once daily, or 75-325 milligrams for angina and previous heart attack.

  According to he American Heart Association 5,000 to 10,000 of the 900,000 lives lost each year to cardiovascular disease could be saved if people took aspirin upon the first signs of a heart attack.

    Aspirin is a readily available drug, but before starting a long term use for cardiovascular benefits  your physician should be consulted.   Some of the risks in taking aspirin are:

• stomach irritation, - heartburn, pain, nausea, vomiting, and over time internal bleeding, ulcers, and holes in the stomach or intestines

• ringing in the ears, at high doses. (dose may be lowered)

• allergy - facial swelling, asthma attack 

• should not be used in children's flu-like symptoms or chickenpox because of a rare disease, Reye syndrome.