Can I take aspirin for a long time to prevent blood clots?

  Aspirin is now a common drug used in hospital clinics, not only to reduce fever, but also to prevent blood clots from forming. Aspirin is now one of the most prescribed drugs for anti-platelet aggregation therapy. The preventive effect of aspirin against cardiovascular disease has been confirmed by numerous evidence-based medical evidences. That is to say, aspirin against thrombosis has been recognized by the entire medical community, only today we need to understand whether it is possible to take aspirin against thrombosis with aspirin for a long time.  First, from the mechanism, aspirin is a COX (cyclooxygenase) inhibitor, which can inhibit the cyclooxygenase on active platelets, thus reaching the downstream product TA2, increased thromboxane A2 production, resulting in the inactivation of active platelets. Although, the inhibition of platelets is irreversible, it can only inhibit platelets within 1-2 days of drug administration. With the body’s self-metabolism, new platelets will be generated again, which means that if you use aspirin to prevent blood clots, you need to take it continuously, once you stop taking it, then you will lose the role of preventing blood clots.  Second, from the patient itself, the reason why you need to take aspirin to prevent blood clots is because the patient has clear indications of primary and secondary prevention, the risk of cardiovascular disease has been significantly elevated, at this time, the patient, it is necessary to take long-term and can not eat eat stop. If you take it, you will not only not benefit, but also increase the risk.  Third, from the side effects of the drug, the most – common side effect of long-term use of aspirin enteric soluble tablets is for the gastrointestinal tract. If there is gastrointestinal discomfort, it can be taken in combination with proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole to relieve stomach discomfort. In case of gastrointestinal bleeding, the medication can be temporarily stopped.  From the above analysis, we can learn that it is possible to take aspirin for a long time if it is used to prevent blood clots. It is only in the case of serious side effects that the medication needs to be temporarily stopped.