Does anyone take aspirin every other day?

[Chickenshahikorma]

Hello

I have (and still am) been taking Aspirin 75mg daily since July 12th after a Carotid Artery scan showed atherosclerosis in the Right Carotid Artery. NASCET scale 41% (which I believe is mild up to 49%? ) Also started Pravastatin 10 mgs at same time. I have raised cholesterol but apparently otherwise “fit and healthy” I don’t drink or smoke and a BMI of 19.1 and I make sure I exercise regularly now.

Saw cardiologist in September and mentioned all the easy bruising I was getting. He said I could take it every other day if I wanted. I didn’t think to question him further at the time but now I realise that, in other words, it’s up to me which I find worrying. Has anyone else been taking Aspirin every other day and if so was it prescribed / advised to be taken like that or was it left to patient choice?

I live in France and the pharmacists are not like the pharmacists in the UK for answering questions like this.

I am having a Coronary Angiogram on the 18th November (to see what those arteries are like. My left carotid artery is ok!) so I would wait for that anyway but I would love to hear anyone else’s experience / information in the meantime

[Blackknight57]

aspirin helps thin the blood. 75mg daily is the normal, unless your on other stuff tHat helps thin the blood dont stop taking it. Ask your doctor for advice.

[Chickenshahikorma in reply to Blackknight57]

Thanks for your reply. No, I wouldn’t stop taking it. I was just wondering whether anyone has been advised to take it every other day, for whatever reason. My cardiologist seemed to be suggesting it as an answer to ease my bruising.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

My guess is most people who take daily low dose aspirin or similar medication have a tendency to increased and noticeable bruising, I certainly do. My arms and hands always have bruises. My understanding is that the aspirin dose to give lower heart health risk is about 75mg (although it may vary slightly where you are located in the world) so if you reduce it you increase the risk proportionately. In the end it's a personal decision whether you take it as directed, halve the dose, or don't take it at all if you are concerned about bruising. But if I were to halve the dose and on dispersible I would buy a pill splitter and take half a tablet daily to even things out, although you could not do that with coated for obvious reasons.

[Chickenshahikorma in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I’m on 75mg daily which I will continue. It’s something I wouldn’t have even questioned if the cardiologist had not made the comment. I was just keen to hear whether anyone else had heard of this suggestion which I found worrying. It doesn’t look like so far. I agree with you re taking it or not taking it and your comments re halving the dose and the associated problems are spot on.

[Blackknight57]

if the suggestion came from cardiologist then follow it. See how it goes. Asprin is very mild anti coagulant .

[Awaiting]

I have been told to avoid aspirin as I’m on blood thinners after being told I have AFib. Have to take more care now as I’m very accident prone and cuts would be a worry if they are bleeding.