Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, Dr Chris said: “I take a low-dose aspirin – 75mg – everyday.” The doctor explained that “years ago, I was found to have a raised blood pressure and raised cholesterol”. This increased his risk of getting a heart attack, so “taking a low-dose aspirin everyday reduces the risk of future heart attacks”. However, Dr Chris did say that “some people have to be careful” – especially if they’re prone to:
- Heart burn
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
If any of the above applies to you, Dr Chris says “you shouldn’t be taking aspirin”.
But he does recommend discussing these sort of things with your GP, as aspirin “can cause gastric erosion and gastric ulcers”.
“I’ve taken mine for years, and it’s been no problem,” he continued, referencing low-dose aspirin.
Showcasing his keys to the camera, Dr Chris held up his green keyring container that holds “two lose-dose aspirin”.
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“It’s on [my] keyring, it’s with me all the time, it’s by my bedside, and if I start [having] chest pains, I’ll take the 75mg aspirins immediately.”
Otherwise known as acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin is widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and shops.
If advised to take a low-dose aspirin by your GP, the blood thinning medication can help prevent heart attack and strokes to those at most risk.
This includes those who have already had either event happen to them, and those who’ve had heart surgery.
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Low-dose aspirin is available on prescription, which may be as slight as 75mg daily tablets – just like Dr Chris’s dose.
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Aspirin helps blood to be “less sticky”, said the NHS, and it may come under the brand names Caprin, Danamep, Micropirin and Nu-seals.
Those told to take the medication are advised to do so with a meal; this will help prevent an upset stomach.
A GP will only prescribe low-dose aspirin if it’s safe for you, taking into consideration if any of the following applies:
- If you’ve had an allergy to aspirin or similar painkillers such as ibuprofen
- Ever had a stomach ulcer
- High blood pressure
- Indigestion
- Heavy periods
- Recently had a stroke
- Asthma or lung disease
- Ever had a blood clotting problem
- Liver or kidney problems
- Gout
“Your doctor will discuss what dose is right for you. It’s important to take low-dose aspirin exactly as recommended by your doctor,” said the NHS.
There are different forms of low-dose aspirin, such as:
- Standard tablets
- Soluble tablets
- Enteric coated tablets
What happens if I forget my daily dose?
“If you forget to take a dose of aspirin, take it as soon as you remember,” advised the NHS.
However, if you don’t remember till the following day, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal.
To remind yourself to take a daily dose, it may help to carry it around in a keychain container, like Dr Chris, that way it’s mostly in sight.
Alternatively, you could set an alarm as a reminder to take the tablet daily.
If you accidentally take too much aspirin, and any of the following occurs, contact your GP:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Hearing problems
- Confusion
- Dizziness
If you do need to go to the A&E department, get someone else to drive you or call an ambulance.
Source: Daily Express
