Should You Be Taking A Low-Dose Aspirin Regimen?

There is currently a great deal of excitement in medical circles about new possibilities of gaining the upper hand against cancer. Apparently, a group of British medical researchers, after studying over 25,000 patients with a history of taking low dose aspirin, have found a possible correlation between long term treatment of low dose aspirin and lower death rates from multiple types of cancer. Could it be that aspirin prevents cancer?

This is definitely promising, and though many questions arise, the fact that the study included such a broad field and a was over a long time span could be the aspect that underscores the research findings. This research was done on participants who had been on an aspirin regimen for at least 4 years.

Although the research was good and the news is great, you still should consult your physician before begining an aspirin regemin for various different reasons.

Why Shouldn't You Take a Low Dose Aspirin Every Day?

The rush by many to simply say, "I'm taking low dose aspirin starting today!" should be tempered by some calm advice. As always, never begin taking any medication regimen without the advise of your personal physician! Due to the possibility that you may have issues with anemia, GI bleeds, allergies, or current prescriptions for blood thinners, medical advice is always needed to begin taking aspirin daily.

Another reason not to rush to the store and buy a large bottle of low dose aspirin is that more time is needed. As with any medical research, when a correlation is found, the exact cause of that correlation must be found and confirmed before broad scale change in medical direction could be even a possibility. Too often people hear of this study or that research and assume that it is conclusive. Just as it takes years to develop new medications, many trials and refocused studies will have to be done before doctors will be able to place people on aspirin solely to lessen the risk of cancer.

Should you decide to ask your primary care physician about beginning a low dose aspirin regimen, be sure to go over the list of medications you are already on and confirm that the aspirin will not bring complications with your current medical conditions. Also remember to take enteric coated, low dose aspirin, which will be more gentle on your stomach.

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How To Know If You Are Having A Heart Attack

Nearly a half a million Americans die each year from Heart Attacks. Although there has been a rise in public education over the past 20 years to teach the public what the symptoms of heart attack are, one of the first things said by patients with a heart attack is "I'm not having a heart attack." In fact, the number one reason for prehospital death of heart attack victims is that people deny they are having one and assume the pain will go away, and wait too long to call 911. This makes understanding body language of utmost importance when identifying heart attack and heart attack symptoms in some family members.

One of the most worrisome issues that emergency medical care providers deal with is that many patients with heart attack do not have the classic symptoms of a heart attack. This problem can lead to misdiagnosis, delay in treatment, or unnecessary treatment.   Therefore, knowing both typical and atypical symptoms of heart attack is important.

How can you know if you are having a heart attack? What are the normal symptoms? And what factors can change your symptoms or mask your symptoms?

Classic Signs Of Heart Attack

The most widely associated symptom of heart attack, chest pain, is actually the most classic sign. Almost every person experiencing a heart attack has chest discomfort of some sort. Some have classic mid chest pain, some feel tightness, some even feel a "lump" in their chest. Not every patient feels the classic "elephant sitting on my chest."  Of course, not every chest pain is a heart attack, but as this is the most common sign or symptom, it should be treated with caution, especially when it begins without exertion, persists, and/or is combined with other signs or symptoms.

There are many other classic signs and symptoms of heart attack, and most of them can happen in varying degrees. Here is a sample of what you should be looking for:

• Nausea / Vomiting
• Diaphoresis (very heavy sweating)
• Paleness
• Pain or tingling radiating down one or both arms
• Pain radiating to the neck or jaw
• Pain in the back
• Trouble breathing
• Irregular heart beat, racing or skipping
• Weakness
• Anxiety
• Denial

As you see on the list, one of the most common signs of Heart Attack can be denial. Many patients, especially males, tend to deny that they are having a heart attack and write their symptoms off as something else. If you are feeling one or more of these symptoms, especially if they begin without exertion and/or are persistent, you may be having a heart attack. However, even if you do not have these classic signs, you still may have a heart attack. Below you will see that sometimes heart attack symptoms can be masked or changed.

Factors That Mask Heart Attack Symptoms

Although not all heart attacks are the same, there are specific conditions/factors that can change symptoms or mask them altogether. The most common factor to change symptoms is sex of the patient. One of the most difficult heart attacks to notice in the field is one occurring in a woman with atypical symptoms. Sometimes women may have stomach pain, lower back pain, headache, or even no pain whatsoever. Understanding body language with these patients may do no good.  More subtle indicators, such as anxiety or a general malaise may be all that exist.

Another factor is existing medical condition. Patients who have diabetes very commonly will not experience pain during heart attack, simply feeling like they have a cold or flu with nausea and sweats. People who have had stroke may not experience pain the way they may have before the stroke. These factors and others can make early recognition difficult at best. However, most of the the time, even if pain is absent, patients will still have a feeling of anxiety and will experience weakness.

What To Do If You Are Having A Heart Attack

The first thing anyone should do when they suspect they may be having a heart attack is to call 911. Ambulances are equipped with important medication that can help lessen or even reverse damage done by heart attack if given early enough. They also have specific tools that to help you should you begin to have an irregular heart rhythm that deteriorates, which is one of the leading causes of death from heart attack.

Some people say to take aspirin when you think you are having a heart attack. On the ambulance, you will be given 324 mg of aspirin, but if you are at risk of heart attack, you can consult your primary care physician as to what he would have you do in the case of a suspicion of a new onset heart attack.

Other people who have history of heart attack or angina may have been prescribed nitroglycerin tablets to take should they experience pain. If this is true for you, take the nitro as your cardiologist has prescribed. They should have told you how many to take and when to take them. Do not deviate from the prescribed amount, because this medication can cause a dramatic lowering of your blood pressure that when done improperly can cause more damage to your heart.

Also, be sure not to accept Nitroglycerin from someone else who has a prescription for it. If you have not been prescribed Nitro and take it without medical personnel checking your EKG, there is a risk you could have a dangerous drop in blood pressure that could cause death. This can happen if your blood pressure is already low or if you are having a specific type of heart attack.

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