Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have released alarming data in connection with aspirin usage and reduction of heart attack deaths.
The study published on May 1, in the Journal of the American Heart Association, says that more than 13,000 heart attack deaths every year could be delayed if people took aspirin within hours of experiencing severe chest pain.
"Aspirin is known to be an effective, low-cost method to reduce the risk of death from heart attack. The greatest benefits are seen when taken promptly (≤ 4 hours) after symptoms begin. But many people who experience chest pain, the most prominent indicator of a heart attack, may not be aware of this, according to the researchers. Most also don’t seek out health care until many hours after the onset of symptoms," the researchers have said.
“Efforts should continue to improve access and adherence to secondary prevention strategies, like initiating statins and improving dietary quality, but self-administration of aspirin alone can drastically reduce heart attack mortality without imposing financial strains or requiring long-term behavioral change,” they have added.
How to take aspirin during a heart attack?
Take one regular-strength aspirin (usually 325 mg) or four low-dose (81 mg) aspirin tablets. Chew them thoroughly before swallowing. Chewing helps the aspirin to be absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, aiding in thinning the blood and improving circulation. Ensure you are not allergic to aspirin and have no conditions that make aspirin use unsafe, such as certain bleeding disorders or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.
