Taken under a doctor's direction, aspirin can help prevent certain cardiovascular events in women. Evidence shows that women are less likely than men to be taking aspirin to fight heart disease. To prevent recurrent stroke, aspirin is approved for use by women who have already had a stroke. Women who have suffered a mini-stroke (TIA) also can benefit from taking aspirin to prevent stroke.

Aspirin works to help prevent blood clots

Aspirin helps prevent the aggregation of platelets or blood clotting. Platelets release a prostaglandin called thromboxane. Aspirin's irreversible prostaglandin blocking ability inhibits the biosynthesis of thromboxane and, consequently, reduces the tendency for blood to clot. This is the reason aspirin should not be used with prescription drugs for anticoagulation (thinning the blood) unless directed by a doctor.

The facts about aspirin

Studies in tens of thousands of women demonstrate aspirin's effectiveness in preventing heart attacks and their adverse consequences. The Nurses Health Study, one of the first large-scale evaluations of the effect of aspirin on women, found that women who regularly take aspirin reduced their chance of a heart attack by 30%.

Additionally, evidence from clinical trials involving more than 200,000 individuals demonstrate aspirin's effectiveness in reducing the risk of heart attack.

Find out if aspirin is right for you:

Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for cardiovascular events. Also, tell your doctor if you have a history of peptic ulcer, liver or kidney disease; a bleeding disorder; or gastrointestinal bleeding. If you are taking blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), be sure to discuss this with your doctor as both aspirin and blood thinners can increase one's risk of bleeding.

Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin or modify an aspirin regimen.