Question: Brief question: Is taking ecospirin (blood thinner) needed to be taken the remainder of a patient's life?

Details: Approximately 12 years ago, my father-in-law had a triple bypass heart surgery. Since that time, he has had regular check ups with his cardiologist and all tests are excellent. He has never been hospitalized and has never had any difficulties. Since that time, he has regularly walked several miles a day, he does take medicine to control elevated BP and cholesterol. He is normal weight and does not smoke. Every doctor's check up has been positive. He is still active in work, and lives a very out going life style.

Since the triple bypass surgery, he has taken ecospirin EVERY day for the last 12 years. Is it really needed?

I ask this question because, just this last week, for the first time in 12 years he had emergency surgery. It was for a chronic subdural hematoma in the brain. He had fell on some wet stairs and hit his head very hard. Because of the ecospirin, the surgery was delayed a week. Also, we are wondering if the ecospirin could have contributed to the head injury not healing properly.

Now, we are questioning the need to take ecospirin every day, for ever.

Could you comment on whether it is expected that a patient would take ecospirin for a life time? Or, could we stop it all together, or could there be a better alternative, such as a lower dosage aspirin?

Thanks!!