Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Should I Stop Using Aspirin Despite Having Cardiac Disorders?
Question: Hello Doctor -
I have been taking baby Aspirin (81 Mg) one time a day as a preventive measures for couple of years.
I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and both are under control with the medications.
I have a strong family history of a heard disease.
My cardiologist told me that I have a CAD because my Calcium score was 275 last year.
Which is considered as a high risk for cardiac event.
I had few procedures in past few weeks - EGD, Colonoscopy and EUS.
My gastroenterologist asked me to discontinue baby aspirin for 5 days before the procedure and 7 days after the procedure. I have been off the aspirin since August 21, 2014 and suppose to be off the aspirin for few more days.
I have following questions-
1) Since I have a high risk of cardiac disease, is it okay to be off on the aspiring for 2-3 weeks?
Is there anything else I can take when I'm off the aspirin?
(BTW, during the colonoscopy they removed one polyp)
2) My cardiologist also put me on Isosorbide Mononitrate 30 Mg one per day.
I have not started taking the medicine yet. Can I take this medicine after the procedures mentioned above?
3) What are the common side effects of Isosorbide Mononitrate? Once I start taking it, is there something I need to be watchful for?
I greatly appreciate your time and expert advice.
Best Regards
--XXXXXX
I have been taking baby Aspirin (81 Mg) one time a day as a preventive measures for couple of years.
I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and both are under control with the medications.
I have a strong family history of a heard disease.
My cardiologist told me that I have a CAD because my Calcium score was 275 last year.
Which is considered as a high risk for cardiac event.
I had few procedures in past few weeks - EGD, Colonoscopy and EUS.
My gastroenterologist asked me to discontinue baby aspirin for 5 days before the procedure and 7 days after the procedure. I have been off the aspirin since August 21, 2014 and suppose to be off the aspirin for few more days.
I have following questions-
1) Since I have a high risk of cardiac disease, is it okay to be off on the aspiring for 2-3 weeks?
Is there anything else I can take when I'm off the aspirin?
(BTW, during the colonoscopy they removed one polyp)
2) My cardiologist also put me on Isosorbide Mononitrate 30 Mg one per day.
I have not started taking the medicine yet. Can I take this medicine after the procedures mentioned above?
3) What are the common side effects of Isosorbide Mononitrate? Once I start taking it, is there something I need to be watchful for?
I greatly appreciate your time and expert advice.
Best Regards
--XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If there is high bleeding risk it is indicated
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXX,
About the aspirin, if your doctor advised you to discontinue it for some time, it means he/she has weighted risks of bleeding against cardiovascular events and bleeding risks were greater. And as I understand there is only a week left. You can also discuss with your doctor the possibility of other medication such as clopidogrel.
About Isosorbit mononotrate I would like to ask whether you have chest pain.
It's most common side effect is headache which is more severe when you start to take medication, and decreases by time. The other common side effect is hypotension.
Less common side effect is blurred vision, allergic reactions. And you should know that you shouldn't take Isosorbit mononitrate with sildenofil.
Regards,
If there is high bleeding risk it is indicated
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXX,
About the aspirin, if your doctor advised you to discontinue it for some time, it means he/she has weighted risks of bleeding against cardiovascular events and bleeding risks were greater. And as I understand there is only a week left. You can also discuss with your doctor the possibility of other medication such as clopidogrel.
About Isosorbit mononotrate I would like to ask whether you have chest pain.
It's most common side effect is headache which is more severe when you start to take medication, and decreases by time. The other common side effect is hypotension.
Less common side effect is blurred vision, allergic reactions. And you should know that you shouldn't take Isosorbit mononitrate with sildenofil.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Hello Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan -
Thanks you very much for your response.
To answer your question: No, I never had chest pain. But, I generally have few symptoms associated with activity/exertion. I feel nauseated, abdominal pain, heart-burn like symptoms. The doctor thought it may be angina since the symptoms come with activity/exertion. I don't get these symptoms every time with activity though, but most times.
My doctor put me on Ranexa to rule out angina. I read that one of the Ranexa's side effect is QT prolongation. So, I asked doctor to change to alternative anti-angina med and he put me on Isosorbide Mononitrate 30 Mg.
BTW, do you think if I take 2 aspirin (81 mg) per day instead of one will help in my situation to prevent cardiovascular event?
Is Ranexa better drug than Isosorbide Mononitrate ?
I greatly appreciate your time and expert advice.
Best Regards
--XXXXXX
Thanks you very much for your response.
To answer your question: No, I never had chest pain. But, I generally have few symptoms associated with activity/exertion. I feel nauseated, abdominal pain, heart-burn like symptoms. The doctor thought it may be angina since the symptoms come with activity/exertion. I don't get these symptoms every time with activity though, but most times.
My doctor put me on Ranexa to rule out angina. I read that one of the Ranexa's side effect is QT prolongation. So, I asked doctor to change to alternative anti-angina med and he put me on Isosorbide Mononitrate 30 Mg.
BTW, do you think if I take 2 aspirin (81 mg) per day instead of one will help in my situation to prevent cardiovascular event?
Is Ranexa better drug than Isosorbide Mononitrate ?
I greatly appreciate your time and expert advice.
Best Regards
--XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Both Ranexa and Isosorbide mononitrate are good
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
Taking two aspirin a day will increase the risk of GI bleeding, and there is no evidence that it will protect you from cardiovascular events better that one tab aspirin.
Ranexa is a new antianginal medication. But as you know it has side effect of QT prolongation. Isosorbide mononitrate is relatively safer and it is also good medication. It's common side effect is headache which is quite benign. So you can go on with Isosorbide Mononitrate and see if your complains disappear.
Take care
Regards,
Both Ranexa and Isosorbide mononitrate are good
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
Taking two aspirin a day will increase the risk of GI bleeding, and there is no evidence that it will protect you from cardiovascular events better that one tab aspirin.
Ranexa is a new antianginal medication. But as you know it has side effect of QT prolongation. Isosorbide mononitrate is relatively safer and it is also good medication. It's common side effect is headache which is quite benign. So you can go on with Isosorbide Mononitrate and see if your complains disappear.
Take care
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
