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Heart attack and stroke prevention

Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം

Heart attack and stroke prevention means lowering the chance of a blood clot blocking an artery to the heart or brain. Most heart attacks and many strokes happen when a clot forms on fatty build-up inside an artery, and the risk is higher with smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a past heart attack or stroke. Medicines a doctor may prescribe include antiplatelets such as low-dose aspirin, statins to lower cholesterol and blood pressure medicines, alongside not smoking, regular exercise and a healthy diet. Daily aspirin helps most in people who already have heart or blood vessel disease; in others, the bleeding risk may outweigh the benefit.

Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.

Medicines used for Heart attack and stroke prevention

These active ingredients are in medicines whose approved uses include Heart attack and stroke prevention. Brands are listed A to Z, not ranked. A doctor or pharmacist decides which medicine is right for you.

Aspirin

  • Ecosprin 75 · 75 mg gastro-resistant (enteric-coated) tablet

Common questions

What are the warning signs of a heart attack or a stroke?

Heart attack: chest pain or tightness that may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, with breathlessness, sweating or nausea. Stroke: one side of the face drooping, weakness in one arm, or slurred speech (FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time). Call 112 straight away for either, even if the signs pass.

Should I start taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack?

Only if a doctor advises it. Daily aspirin lowers the risk of another heart attack or stroke in people who already have heart or blood vessel disease. In people without these conditions, the risk of stomach or brain bleeding may outweigh the benefit, so a doctor weighs this for each person.

Sources

  1. Heart attack. NHS (UK)
  2. Coronary heart disease. NHS (UK)
  3. Stroke: symptoms. NHS (UK)
  4. Stroke: treatment. NHS (UK)
  5. Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts. US Food and Drug Administration
  6. Aspirin: medicine for pain relief or preventing blood clots. NHS (UK)