Mercy's Dr. Ayesha Cheema Discusses The Role of Aspirin In Daily Health Care
April 09, 2019
Aspirin thins the blood, so it can be helpful in preventing heart attack and stroke, but it also increases the risk of serious bleeding.
A recent British study involving 164,000 people, both young and old, shows aspirin decreased the risk of heart attack and stroke by 0.38%, while at the same time, increasing the risk of major bleeding by 0.47%.
According to Dr. Ayesha Cheema of Mercy Personal Physicians at Columbia, the decision of whether or not to take a daily dose of aspirin depends on the person.
"It's an individual decision that patients need to make with their physician. It's not one size fits all. It's not like a miracle drug which can just cure heart disease or prevent you from having strokes. You have to select certain patients," Dr. Cheema said.
Those who do benefit from taking aspirin should only take a very low dose, usually 81 milligrams, Dr. Cheema noted.
To view Mercy primary care physician Dr. Ayesha Cheema’s interview about aspirin, click here.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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