acetylsalicylic acid, does it help prevent Cardiovascular disease?

Now when we are thinking about Cardiovascular disease, it is quite often one has heard that taking this  particular medication called acetylsalicylic acid in pill form, potentially reduces two major cardiovascular diseases. Notice how I said the word "potentially", many debates have been disputed over this topic, where some people advocate the use of this medication as a type of treatment, while others persist that acetylsalicylic acid should not be used for this health problem. However, before I go on with this topic we first need to know, "what is acetylsalicylic acid?".


Acetylsalicylic acid is a medication intended to relieve minor headaches and pains, was discovered by German chemist Arthur Eichengrün. Before it was even created into pill structure, people ingested willow bark, which in all contains the similar chemical compounds. Now if you haven't already figured out what this medication is, I will give you the answer, it is Aspirin.



Lets take a look of both sides of the argument, taking in account the history of this issue. Those who advocate the use of aspirin as a treatment for some cardiovascular diseases, persist that those who are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease can reduce their chances of having heart attacks or ischemic strokes due to reduction of coronary clots. This reduction is caused by the inhibition of blood platelets, which is the major cell which causes blood to clot. Thus with lower clotting ratios in the body, we essentially reduce the chances of having heart attacks or ischemic strokes.


Yet those who oppose, argue that although it reduces platelet count, it is like a "double edged blade". In which it is more dangerous if taken for the purpose of reducing cardiovascular disease because with lower amounts of platelets thus we increase the chances of having a hemorrhagic stroke.Also, with the reduction of platelet count in the blood system, people who do suffer an hemorrhagic stroke are likely to be terminal because, with the inability to clot surgeons are unable to operate because the victim would bleed out. Thus enforcing the reason of only taking aspirin for its intended use.

Now in my opinion, both arguments are valid, however I support the idea of using aspirin as a type of simple treatment to prevent blood clots from forming. The reason is that, those who are prone, or have already experienced an ischemic stroke should be given options in ways of treating their conditions. Due to this economy not many people are given the option to either pay for surgery or "enough time" to be on the wait list. Thus using aspirin is cheap and efficient. However, I would only recommend this style of treatment to those who know the risks and who use this treatment in moderation.