Heart Health
Resistant to aspirin?
Ask the doctor
I recently started taking low-dose aspirin, per my doctor's advice. But I heard that for some people, aspirin doesn't help prevent heart attacks. Is this true, and is there any way to find out if I'm one of those people?Here's why. Blood clots are the root cause of heart attacks and most strokes. Aspirin reduces the risk of these dangerous clots by preventing tiny cell fragments in the blood called platelets from clumping together and forming clots. But aspirin's effects may vary from person to person. In about one in 100 people, aspirin's anti-clotting powers are weaker than expected, some research suggests.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.