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Aspirin Therapy for Stroke

Aspirin therapy can be used to help prevent stroke in high-risk individuals, as well as to prevent recurrence in those who have already suffered a stroke. Aspirin therapy diminishes natural clotting tendencies in the blood that sometimes lay the groundwork for stroke conditions. The appropriate use of aspirin therapy varies from case to case.

  1. Assessing Your Suitability for Treatment

    • Before placing you on daily aspirin therapy, your doctor will assess a number of key health factors, including your medical history, current use of over-the-counter and prescription medications, susceptibility to side effects and any allergies or other sensitivities. He will also ask about your family's medical history, as well as any activities or routines that might impact your aspirin use. Certain conditions may disqualify you from daily aspirin use, including stomach ulcers, heart failure, asthma and clotting or bleeding disorders. It is also particularly important that you reveal the use of any substances that might intensify or nullify aspirin's anti-clotting effects, including ibuprofen, heparin or warfarin.

    The Importance of Your Doctor's Instructions

    • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that aspirin is not labeled for its stroke prevention capabilities, and proper use for this purpose relies on the sound medical judgment of qualified professionals. For this reason, you will need to closely follow your doctor's advice about your suitability for treatment. If he decides that aspirin therapy is not appropriate for you, do not attempt to pursue this type of treatment on your own. If aspirin therapy is appropriate, you will need to pay strict attention to your doctor's recommendation for daily dosage.

    Potential Side Effects and Limitations

    • Potential serious side effects of aspirin use include bleeding in the stomach or brain, allergic reaction, hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), kidney failure and worsening or triggering of hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. If you experience any discomfort related to your treatment, report it to your doctor immediately. If you are female, restrict your daily alcohol intake to one drink while on aspirin therapy. If you are male, limit yourself to two daily drinks. Do not take aspirin if you feel you are experiencing the beginning stages of a stroke; if your stroke is hemorrhagic, additional aspirin may have life-threatening or fatal effects.

    "Superaspirin"

    • As an alternative to traditional aspirin therapy, your doctor may place you on a "superaspirin" compound called a platelet aggregation inhibitor. These medications work in a method similar to aspirin and may be useful if you have aspirin allergies or difficulties with side effects. Examples of these compounds include clopidogrel (Plavix) and eptifibatide (Integrilin). Typically, these medications are taken in combination with aspirin only in very particular circumstances. Consult your doctor before discontinuing either aspirin or superaspirin therapy.

    A Side Note

    • As of 2009, there is some disagreement about aspirin's ability to help prevent a first stroke in patients who have significant risk factors. While both the American Heart Association and the FDA continue to support this use, studies reported in the British Medical Journal conclude that preventive use of aspirin is ineffective. Consult your doctor for a full explanation of current findings.

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