Strokes: Aspirin use recommended in both men and women to treat mini-strokes (transient ischemic attack --TIA) or ischemic stroke to prevent subsequent cardiovascular events or death. Heart Attacks: reduces the risk of death in patients with suspected acute heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) prevents recurrent heart attacks and reduces the risk of heart attacks or sudden death in patients with unstable and chronic stable angina pectoris (chest pain). Other coronary conditions: Aspirin can be used to treat patients who have had certain revascularization procedures such as angioplasty, and coronary bypass operations -- if they have a vascular condition for which aspirin is already indicated. Rheumatologic diseases: Aspirin is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylarthropathies, and arthritis and pleurisy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Pain relief: Aspirin is indicated for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains.

The benefits of aspirin far exceed temporary relief from fever, aches, and pains. Most people know that it can protect you from a heart attack or stroke, if taken properly. Research suggests that it can reduce the risk of some cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. But aspirin has many other potential health, beauty, and personal benefits. Discover some of the amazing things that bottle in your medicine cabinet can do for you.

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a salicylate drug, and is generally used as an analgesic (something that relieves pain without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness) for minor aches and pains, to reduce fever (an antipyretic), and also as an anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspirin has also become increasingly popular as an anti-platelet - used to prevent blood clot formation - in long-term low doses to prevent heart attacks and strokes in high risk patients. Nowadays, aspirin is often given to patients immediately after a heart attack to prevent recurrence or cardiac tissue death.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are medications with analgesic, antipyretic (something that reduces a fever), and in higher doses anti-inflammatory effects. Non-steroidal means they are not steroids, which often have similar effects. As analgesics, NSAIDs are generally non-narcotic (do not cause insensibility or stupor). The most prominent NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen - mainly because most of them are OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) medications. Aspirin was the first discovered NSAID.