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An Aspirin a day
By Daniel L. Lorber, M.D.

Let us begin by saying,while aspirin therapy may be an effective
prevention strategy for people at high risk for heart attack and stroke,
it may not be right for everyone. It is NOT recommended for people under
age 30 with no cardiac risk factors. People with any of the following
medical conditions may also be poor candidates for aspirin therapy:

* Allergic to aspirin
* bleeding tendency
* undergoing anticoagulent therapy
* recent bleeding in the digestive tract
* clinically active liver disease
* There may be other reasons why aspirin therapy is not medically
recommended for you. Always check with your Doctor for specific medical
advice.

In November, 1997, the American Diabetes Association issued the
recommendation that aspirin therapy be used by people with diabetes at
high risk for cardiovascular disease to prevent not just a second, but
also a first heart attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the single most common killer of
people with Type 2 diabetes, far surpassing any other chronic
complication of diabetes as a cause of death. The good news is that
having diabetes doesn^Òt mean you can^Òt lower your risk.

How aspirin works:
In people w/ diabetes, platelets are stickier, and clump more easily
then in people without diabetes. When blood sugar levels run high
platelets clump together and stick to each other more easily. Once
platelets begin sticking together and to other cells, they begin to
produce thromboxane, a hormone-like substance that produces yet more
clumping, and eventually leads to a blood clot. When blood gets stuck in
blod vessels, a heart attack or stroke may result. Aspirin reduces the
risk of heart attack and stroke by inhibiting the production of
thromboxane. The U. S. Physician^Òs Health Study, found a 44% reduction
in the risk of a first heart attack in men taking low dose aspirin (325
milligrams every other day). Other studies show, in people at high risk
for heart disease, aspirin in doses of 75 to 325 milligrams per day
mg/day), offered significant protection against heart attack, stroke,
and death. However, the review also pointed out that there is not enough
evidence to advise people at low risk for heart disease to take aspirin
on a daily basis for preventative measures.

Aspirin safety:

The ADA noted the most common side effects of aspirin therapy are
stomach irritation and bleeding. These side effects do not occur when
low doses of buffered aspirin are used. The coating on buffered aspirin
helps it to pass through the stomach undigested so that it can be
absorbed in the intestine.

Risk factors include high bloood pressure or abnormal lipid levels
(cholesterol).

You may  already be taking measures to reduce your risk of
cardiovascular disease, such as controlling blood pressure, and managing
blood lipids. Now, you may be able to add aspirin therpay to your
efforts. Check with your doctor to see if it is right for you.
Cardiovascular risk reduction can become as much a part of your daily
routine as watching your diet, injecting insulin, and taking diabetes
medicines, and exercising.

ARE YOU AT RISK?

Diabetes is only one of the many factors that can increase your risk of
developing heart disease. Some other factors that raise your risk
include the following:
*Family hsitory of heart disease
*Cigarette smoking
*High blood pressure
*Obesity (more than 20% above desirable weight)
*Albuminuria or proteinuria (protein in the urine)
*Total cholesterol greater than 200mg/dl
*LDL cholesterol greater than 120 mg/dl (or greater than 100 mg/dl if
you have other risk factors for heart disease)
*HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dl
*Triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dl

 Dr. Lorber is the Medical Director of the
Diabetes Care and Information Center
of New York - in Flushing, New  York.


****Note from me: I've heard this therapy recommended enough times, I'm
starting on it. Initially, a dose of baby aspirin was recommended 81mg.
At the Diabetes conference in Chicago, current recommendations are that
diabetics are resistant to the lower dose, and the regular adult sized
325mg daily dose is now the recomended dose.

Best to take it with food. Also wondering did anyone's physician
"recommend" that you do take an aspirin a day? The ADA has made the
recommendation..... but are individual doctors encouraging patients to
practice this therapy?

 Do check w/ YOUR Doc to see it if's right for you.

***Also- I'll include a list of gluten free aspirin......

Equate @ Wal-Mart
Ecotrine (enteric coated aspirin)
All Excedrin products
Bufferin
*As per usual, do check w/ the manufacturer to get current GF status =
O


~Fran