Low Dose Aspirin: Uses, Risks, and What You Need to Know

When you hear low dose aspirin, a daily 75–100 mg tablet used primarily to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Also known as baby aspirin, it’s one of the most widely prescribed medications for long-term heart protection. But it’s not a harmless supplement—it’s a powerful drug with real risks, and not everyone needs it.

Cardiovascular protection, the use of low dose aspirin to prevent blood clots in people with a history of heart disease or stroke is well-supported by decades of research. For someone who’s already had a heart attack, taking low dose aspirin daily can cut the chance of another one by up to 25%. But for healthy people with no heart issues, the benefits are much smaller—and the risks, like internal bleeding, can outweigh them. The American Heart Association and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now say most adults without heart disease should not start daily aspirin unless their doctor specifically recommends it.

Aspirin side effects, including stomach bleeding, ulcers, and increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke are real and often underestimated. Even at low doses, aspirin thins the blood by blocking platelets. That’s why it works for prevention—but also why it can cause dangerous bleeding, especially in older adults or those on other blood thinners. People with a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid it entirely. And if you’re planning surgery or dental work, you’ll need to stop it days in advance.

There’s also growing evidence that low dose aspirin might play a role in reducing certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer, but this is still being studied. It’s not a cancer prevention pill you should take on your own. The decision to use it should be based on your personal risk profile—not a friend’s recommendation or a blog post.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides that cut through the noise. You’ll see how low dose aspirin stacks up against other heart protection strategies, what the latest guidelines say for seniors, how it interacts with other common meds, and why some people are better off skipping it entirely. These aren’t theoretical opinions—they’re based on clinical data, patient experiences, and doctor reviews. Whether you’re currently taking it, considering it, or just want to understand the debate, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable info.