Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am a 30-year-old female. I had a blood clot at 24 and have been taking baby Aspirin every day since discontinuing Coumadin. I have read extensively about the long-term risks of Aspirin on the gastrointestinal system and the brain. I would like to stop my daily dose. Are there long-term effects from taking 81 mg of baby Aspirin daily for six years? If I stop taking it, does the risk of bleeding in the brain also decrease? Occasionally, I took 325 mg for short periods while traveling, but my primary dosage has been the low-dose Aspirin. I am concerned that I may have caused some damage to my brain's blood vessels by taking it for so long, even if I stop now.
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have reviewed your health query and understand your concerns well. No, this is not a high enough dose to have caused issues with the blood vessels or brain. This dosage of Aspirin is considered safe and is actually protective for the blood vessels overall. It will not harm you, even with long-term use. We must weigh the benefits of Aspirin against any minimal harm, if any, caused by the drug. Blood clots are very serious compared to any side effects associated with low-dose Aspirin.
Regarding discontinuing Aspirin, this decision can only be made by your treating physician, as they are most familiar with your past and current medical conditions. We cannot stop Aspirin without a valid reason. If your physician decides to discontinue it, you will no longer be at risk for any side effects related to Aspirin.
I hope this information helps.
Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for your response.
I will talk to my physician. My clot was superficial (in the peroneal vein) and occurred after a leg injury while I was wearing an air boot, so it was provoked. I am not sure if that warrants being on Aspirin. Honestly, I experienced a lot of stress after having that clot since I was young, and it was scary.
Yesterday, I traveled on a six-hour flight (I wore compression socks, took my Aspirin, walked a lot, and stayed hydrated). In the last 24 hours, I felt a very sharp, stabbing pain in my lungs in two different places. It lasted only two to three seconds. Since it is not accompanied by any other symptoms and goes away quickly, I should not worry, correct? I experience these pains from time to time, but they are usually months apart. It is just scary after what I went through with the clot and the thoughts of the consequences of a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Aspirin is used to prevent clots of any nature, whether they are innate due to a disease or caused by injury to the blood vessels. It helps prevent the clot from increasing in size in our closed circulatory system. To dissolve it and monitor for any further clot formation, taking Aspirin is advisable. When a vessel is injured, it creates a raw area that is more prone to future clot formation, which is a clear indication of the use of Aspirin.
You do not need to worry. In the absence of any other symptoms and considering the short duration of the pain, it does not seem to be an issue. It may have resulted from a muscle spasm, but I still recommend getting a physical check-up done by your physician. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and other complications can be serious if a clot travels to vital organs like the heart, lungs, or brain. However, if you monitor your health, maintain a healthy diet, remain physically active, and keep regular follow-ups with your primary care physician, you should be safe.
Do not be scared; try to view this as a normal part of daily life. Move on and try not to dwell too much on the previous episode. It was just a clot, and I am sure your physician will manage any consequences. Regular evaluations will help you stay out of danger.
Please feel free to ask more questions if you feel something has been overlooked. I would be happy to assist you anytime.
Regards.
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Answered by Education: MBBS Professional Bio: Dr.Muhammad Majid Hanif is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Cardiology. He listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan. This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore. Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Medically reviewed byDr. K. Shobana
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Cardiology
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