Chewing An Aspirin Could Save Your Life

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), March, 1999

Chewing an aspirin at the first signs of a heart attack--such as chest pain, nausea, or pain in your left arm or shoulder--could save your life. This is especially good advice for women, who, percentage-wise, die from heart attacks twice as often as men. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner that prevents blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots, which block vessels and thus cause most heart attacks and strokes.

According to the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, the American Heart Association recommends chewing an aspirin (325 milligrams) immediately and seeking prompt medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack. If you have had a previous heart attack or have atherosclerosis elsewhere in your body, the AHA suggests taking 50 to 100 milligrams of aspirin a day.

It is important to keep in mind that an aspirin a day isn't for everyone, since it can cause stomach irritation and bleeding. Check with your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for this preventive therapy.