Popping an aspirin will not help you survive a heart attack

Hyderabad: A post quoting Dr. Edmond Fernandes about the efficacy of aspirin in preventing heart attacks has gone viral on social media.

The viral post has a tweet by Dr. Edmond Fernandes which reads, "With #heartattack trending, keep Tab Aspirin 300 mg in your pockets/wallets & pop it asap if you develop sudden severe chest pain/radiating to neck-left arm. Don't neglect a chest pain as gastritis. Evaluate evaluate. Your heart your life. Don't let the valentine fail you (sic)."

A similar message is being shared on Facebook too.

Aspirin is an over-the-counter drug used to treat pain, headaches, and fever. Let's find out if it can help you survive a heart attack.

Fact Check

According to sciencedaily.com, "If you've never had a heart attack or stroke, you likely should not be taking aspirin to prevent them, according to new research. Researchers reviewed three large randomized, placebo-controlled studies published in 2018 that showed the risk of major internal bleeding associated with taking an aspirin a day is higher than any preventative benefits."

An article by Mayo Clinic, titled "Daily aspirin therapy: Understand the benefits and risks," said, "Don't start taking a daily aspirin without talking to your health care provider. While taking an occasional aspirin or two is safe for most adults to use for headaches, body aches or fever, daily use of aspirin can have serious side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding."

It further said, "As a person ages, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. But the risk of bleeding from aspirin goes up even more. In people who have a low risk of heart attack, the benefits of taking a daily aspirin don't outweigh the risks of bleeding. The higher the risk of heart attack, the more likely it is that the benefits of daily aspirin therapy are greater than the bleeding risks."

A recent WebMD article from 27 April 2022, titled "Aspirin No Longer Recommended to Prevent First Heart Attack, Stroke," said, "For years, doctors have recommended that patients in their 50s begin taking baby aspirin daily to protect against heart attacks and strokes. But in recent years, new evidence has highlighted the possible harms of daily aspirin, and doctors began shifting their recommendations."

It further noted that people who are 60 years old or older should not take daily aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.

Healthline also noted, "Aspirin prevents blood clots from forming. It may be helpful in the event of a heart attack, and it also prevents heart attacks. However, daily aspirin therapy is generally no longer recommended. For people who aren't at risk for heart attack, the risks of taking aspirin are greater than the benefits. You shouldn't take daily aspirin without first consulting your doctor. They can help you understand whether daily aspirin is right for you.

NewsMeter reached out to our expert Dr. Nithin Reddy P, Consultant General Physician who said, 'The claims made in the viral message is irrational. One cannot take tab aspirin 300 mg without any evidence of myocardial infarction. As aspirin itself can cause severe gastritis. All coronary artery disease patient can instead keep tab sorbitrate 5mg in their pockets and take if they develop sudden chest pain as it is anti angina drug, and yes any chest pain needs to be evaluated and not to be neglected.'

It is evident that although there is evidence that points towards the efficacy of aspirin for cardiovascular issues, it is not recommended to take one every day. Hence, the claim is MISLEADING.