It all started earlier this year when German pharmaceutical company, Bayer, petitioned the FDA about changing the labeling on its aspirin in order to market aspirin as a means for preventing heart attacks in people who have not had cardiovascular disease.

It’s no wonder Bayer would like more of us using their drug on a daily basis since in 2013 alone, aspirin generated $1.27 billion in sales for Bayer.[1]

But the FDA took a long hard look at the data and concluded in May, 2014,  “The data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventative medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems.”[2]

aspirin does not prevent heart attackApparently, the data shows that of the nine primary prevention trials that have evaluated the ability of aspirin to fend off a heart attack or stroke, not one trial has been positive![3]

Now that the FDA’s response is public, we discover that they have been leery of aspirin since 2003 when they declined to approve aspirin as a primary prevention for cardiovascular disease back then.

It makes me wonder why the public has been left in the dark about the dangers of taking low-dose daily aspirin ever since. And, why weren’t these studies conducted before everyone started taking aspirin to ward off heart attacks?

In fact, I just Googled “aspirin and heart disease,” and the first entry that pops up is an ad from Bayer! It’s not difficult to recognize that the real motivation behind the aspirin push, as well as other drugs, is money.

Meanwhile, the FDA warns, “Aspirin use can result in serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, kidney failure, and some kinds of strokes. No medicine is completely safe.”[4]

Numerous studies have demonstrated the serious side effects from taking low-dose aspirin over time. The aspirin regimen may double your risk for a gastrointestinal bleed. Aspirin also increases the risk for a brain bleed in the elderly and it destroys the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.[5]

As many as 100,000 people are hospitalized and 15,000 die from aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs each year in the US.[6] How many deaths does it take to put an end to this indiscriminate drug-pushing?

The FDA does concede that a daily low-dose of aspirin can help prevent a recurrence of heart attack or stroke in patients who have cardiovascular disease and who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke.[7] But even here they warn that an individual should not self-prescribe, but consult their doctor. And there is still the danger of these side effects. I wonder how long it will be before even this recommendation is reversed?

The scary part is that aspirin is a blood thinner. So if you’ve already been taking aspirin on a daily basis, it is affecting your blood and possibly your gastrointestinal tract and your brain.

But Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a UCLA cardiologist and representative for the American Heart Association, urges that if someone is already on a daily low-dose aspirin regimen, they should consult their physician before stopping.[8] Once your body becomes accustomed to a drug–even aspirin–just quitting cold turkey could profoundly impact your body.

Of course, with about 800,000 Americans dying from cardiovascular disease each year, we have reason to be concerned with our heart health. The remedy is quite simple and natural, but many don’t want to swallow this pill!

remedy for healthy heartThe basic remedy for a healthy heart includes:

  • Lose weight if you’re overweight
  • Eat a heart healthy diet
  • Exercise regularly
  • Reduce your stress level
  • Quit smoking if you smoke

Being overweight is a key risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.[9] Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your heart. A heart healthy diet and exercise can help you achieve your ideal weight.

Our Fat Loss Remedy can help you design a heart healthy diet and achieve the weight loss that you’re looking for. The Fat Loss Remedy Kit also shows you how to begin an exercise plan that will work for you.

Too much stress in our lives can increase the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, and irregular heart beats.[10] Stress is a very individual thing, so you’ve got to know the signs of too much stress, listen to your body, and take action to reduce stress.

Some signs of too much stress include: headaches, indigestion, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, sweaty palms, low sex drive, worry, difficult decision-making, inability to concentrate, anger, depression, negative thinking, compulsive eating, and impulsive behaviors.[11]

The primary way to cope with stress is by taking control of your life, instead of letting your circumstances control you.

  • Establish healthy habits and routines.
  • Take time to relax.
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Invest in your relationships.
  • Take control of your finances.

Finally, if you smoke, quit! Nearly 20% of all deaths from heart disease in the US are directly attributed to smoking. And smoking is a major cause of coronary artery disease.[12] There is no one way to quit smoking that works for everyone, but be assured–there is a way that will work for you!

Remember, having the will to do something doesn’t always mean that you can just do it. You need the right tools and the right “road map.” If you were going to climb a mountain, you would want to have the right gear and a good guide. The same concept applies to quitting smoking. That’s the good news for all smokers who WANT to quit smoking. There are some great tips on how to stop smoking on this website. The sooner you start the better!

Neither aspirin or any other drug will do for you what a healthy diet and regular exercise can do. Don’t settle for a drug with horrible side effects and that only addresses the symptoms rather than dealing with the cause.

If you’re not yet a member of Home Cures That Work, join today! We offer numerous articles, tips, recipes and more that can keep you heart healthy and improve your quality of life naturally!

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Rob_FischerRob Fischer has been writing professionally for over 35 years. His experience includes writing curricula, study guides, articles, blogs, newsletters, manuals, workbooks, training courses, workshops, and books. Rob has written for numerous churches, for Burlington Northern Railroad, Kaiser Aluminum, and Barton Publishing. He has also trained managers in effective business writing. Rob holds two Master’s degrees, both focused heavily on writing. Rob has published eleven books and serves as an editor and ghostwriter for other authors.

 

Sources:
[1] Dr. Mercola, “FDA Reverses its Position on Daily Aspirin,” August 4, 2014, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/04/daily-aspirin-side-effects.aspx.
[2] Fox News, “FDA Questions Use of Aspirin to Prevent First Heart Attack,” May 5, 2014, http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/05/05/fda-questions-use-aspirin-to-prevent-first-heart-attack/.
[3] Larry Husten, “FDA Comes Out Against Aspirin to Prevent First Heart Attacks,” Forbes, May 5, 2014, http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2014/05/05/fda-comes-out-against-aspirin-to-prevent-first-heart-attacks/.
[4] FDA, “Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts,” May 2, 2014, http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/understandingover-the-countermedicines/safedailyuseofaspirin/ucm291433.htm#top.
[5] Dr. Mercola.
[6] Dr. Mercola.
[7] FDA.
[8] Fox News.
[9] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “What Are Overweight and Obesity?” July 13, 2012, http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/.
[10] WebMD, “Heart Disease and Stress,” May 15, 2012, http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/stress-heart-attack-risk.
[11] WebMD.
[12] WebMD, “Smoking and Heart Disease,” February 12, 2014, http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/quit-smoking-heart.

 

 

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