I am sure you have heard that there are tons (OK, 60 million or so) of people taking aspirin every day to make sure they don’t get a heart attack. (No, I am not among them- I am allergic to aspirin.) The aspirin regimen exists because we know that aspirin makes platelets less “sticky”, less prone to clump together, which is what a blood clot is. (And, that means a stroke or a heart attack can be imminent.) But, up until recently, we did not know why some folks got heart attacks and others didn’t- even though they were both taking aspirin- some number less than 30% of those who take the pills are so affected. Until now.
Dr. Deepak Voora (Duke University), along with Drs. Cyr, Lucas, Chi, Dungan, McCaffrey, Katz, Newby, Strauss, Becker, Ortel, and Ginsbug, examined two groups of folks- those prone to heart attacks (i.e., they already manifested symptoms of heart disease) that took baby aspirin (81 mg ) daily and others (healthy volunteers) who took 325 mg aspiring daily for at least a month. These results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Each subject was tested for their response to aspirin, and various genetic tests (RNA microarray profiling). It turns out that there are some 60 genes that seem to be related to the inability of aspirin to work the way one expects. (This was discerned via VerifyNow Aspirin testing or Platelet Function Score (PFS)). This study is a follow-on to the results that Voora, Ortel, Lucas, Chi, Becker, and Ginsberg reported for non-Cox-1 dependent platelet function. The researchers termed the results the “aspirin response signature” (ARS); the folks who manifested ARS were at risk for myocardial infarction and/or death. Those undergoing cardiac catheterization with positive ARS exhibited a 30% increase in these adverse events- regardless of other risk factors, race, platelet count, etc.
It should be further noted that the ARS phenomena was not observed, unless aspirin had been administered. As such, there is a latent effect these genes apply to platelet function, which is activated by the presence of aspirin. A provisional patent application has been submitted to the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) to afford them the ability to market these results.
These results should let us better tailor our decision to prescribe aspirin regimens.
So thankful for all the technology and studies that help us to understand what drugs help and who they can help. I use to take a huge stand again medication until I needed it and how it has helped me. There is a time and place for medication.
Shawn recently posted..The Answers You Always Wanted to Know About Podcasting
Yes, Shawn! It’s so much better when we can tell if a drug will make a difference or not. It saves us money and gives better results!
Keep us posted Roy!
You betcha, Alessa!
Thanks for this information! I took aspirin to help me carry pregnancies. It never “worked.” I think I read somewhere that if aspirin were introduced today, it wouldn’t be approved by the FDA, but I don’t know how accurate that is.
Melinda recently posted..(Belated) Song for Sunday: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
I never heard of aspirin for pregnancy, Melinda!
I do agree that the FDA would probably give aspirin a hard time. And, it doesn’t help that we use it for so many different maladies (like pregancy)!
Just goes to show you never know unless they develop a test for it.
Ann Mullen recently posted..In Home Care Info: The Dummies’ Guide to Arthritis and Achy Feet
It certainly could answer why only some folks are helped by taking that baby aspirin tablet, Ann!
Fascinating. My husband takes it. I was prescribed it. Glad someone did a study on it and you posted it!!
Carol Tomany recently posted..Today…..
I certainly hope he is among those who receives the full benefit of the pill, Carol!
Thanks for that comment.
Yeeesh – so many variable when it comes to meds. It certainly proves how different each of us may respond to the same medication – definitely not one size fits all!
Ah, yes, pharmacogenetics is the way we are going. To insure we each get the perfect medicine!
Thanks for the visit and the comment, Suerae.
I hate this blanket recommendation that we should all take aspirin because, just like you, I am allergic to aspirin (it gives me terrible nose bleeds). I am glad that we are improving our understanding of how aspirin works. Interesting subject.
I’m with you, Muriel. Moreover, I don’t understand the concept of recommending anything that costs money and provides no benefit. Make sure it works, first!
Great post on disadvantage of using Aspirin . It increases the risk factors for coronary heart disease ..
rania recently posted..Eating For A Healthy Heart – Consider These Foods
Thanks for the approbation! Come visit often, Rania!