 Aspirin works to help prevent blood clots.During a suspected heart attack, aspirin can play a critical lifesaving role if taken as directed by a doctor. Research has shown that aspirin reduces the risk of death by 23 percent if administered when a heart attack is suspected and for 30 days thereafter. Aspirin can also lessen the damaging effects of the heart attack. The use of aspirin as a “heart attack first aid” could potentially save 10,000 lives each year. The mechanism by which aspirin works in the treatment of heart attack is not completely understood. However, we do know that aspirin help reduce platelet clumping or blood clotting which helps cause blockage in blood vessels. |
The Chemistry of AspirinAspirin, also known as ‘acetylsalicylic acid’, has a chemical formula of C9H8O4. The chemical structure of aspirin:
Aspirin, is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation. It inhibits fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase by acetylation of the active site of enzyme and the pharmacological effects of aspirin are due to the inhibition of the formation of cyclo-oxygenase products including prostglandins, thromboxanes and prostacyclin. |
[Read More about the chemistry or aspirin.]