For the majority of people who take low-dose aspirin daily, the intent is to help prevent a heart attack. Acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA, is often recommended for those who have heart disease, have had a previous heart attack, or have a cardiovascular risk of some sort. ASA interferes with the blood's ability to clot by preventing platelets from clumping. Clumps of platelets are how a small cut will seal itself and scab. The same clumps can block off an artery narrowed by heart disease and cause a stroke or heart attack. A consistent small dose of ASA may prevent this.
A daily routine that includes acetylsalicylic acid has positives and drawbacks for anyone, but the elderly especially should consult with their doctors before picking up a bottle of the pills at the local drug store. It's always best to discuss the risks with a doctor and make a decision with all of the information available to review.
Fairly new information indicates there could be an increase in incidence of macular degeneration in correlation with regular ASA use. It is always best to review with a doctor and discuss current medical conditions and possible benefits versus risks with daily usage, as the positives could well outweigh the negatives.
A small dose of acetylsalicylic acid may be recommended by a doctor at some stages of life but not at others. ASA can thin the blood without causing anemia by lowering the concentration of hemoglobin, yet remains low cost and easy to obtain. This makes it popular with medical professionals and patients alike. However, at times, the costs could outweigh the benefits. Sometimes the elderly are advised to protect cardiovascular health in other ways, such as avoiding smoking, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet.