Your doctor has prescribed you ASA (Aspirin) for the prevention of heart attack and stroke. The benefits of Aspirins (ASA) in reducing risks of heart attacks & stroke has been well documented. Diabetics are even more at risk for heart attack and stroke because the diabetes itself makes the blood a bit more prone to clotting. The Canadian Diabetes Assoc has reccomended that Diabetics should consider taking ASA daily in small doses. ASA or Acetylsalicylic acid is the generic for of aspirin, it is found in Entrophen (a coated ASA), Bufferin, Alka Seltzer, Anacin.

Recommended Dosage

The reccomended dose is 80 to 325 mg daily. I usually reccomend a 325 mg coated ASA tablet daily. These cost less than 5c a day, 80 mg tabs (which is all you need and may be less irritating to the stomach) are much more expensive because this is a childs dose and is only sold in small quantities; however, these are inexpensively available in the United States.

Side Effects

The side effects include stomach irritation and occasionally easy bleeding or bruising, the ASA should be stopped if this occurs and the matter discussed with your doctor. You should not take ASA if you are taking the compounds listed above (Bufferin, Anacin etc) or if you are taking Anti-coagulants (blood thinners) unless it has been discussed with your physician.