A cardiovascular surgeon has advised those who think they are having a heart attack to chew a 325 mg aspirin rather than swallow it. Dr. Jeremy London stated that this simple action can greatly increase the chance of survival by accelerating the absorption of aspirin into the blood.
Why Chewing Aspirin Helps
In a video posted on Instagram, Dr. London explained that aspirin works by preventing blood clots. During a heart attack, a clotThe clot obstructs the blood supply to the heart muscle. When aspirin is chewed, its passage into the blood is accelerated which may arrest the growth of the clot and minimize the damage of the heart.
Dr. London mentioned, “When in doubt, this one action could turn the tables in your favor.” 325 mg of aspirin is to be chewed not swallowed.
Aspirin is not a medication for heart attack, but it plays an important part in restricting the heart attack area by preventing the formation of clots, he said.
Time Is Critical
Aspirin, according to Dr. London, is most successful if consumed right after the onset of symptoms, during the period of 1-4 hours. He further pointed out that it is capable of cutting down vascular deaths and overall death rates by approximately 23% in the case of both short and long term situations.
Important Cautions
Dr. London warned that aspirin should not be taken if you:
- Are allergic to aspirin
- Have bleeding problems
- Have been advised by a doctor not to take aspirin
In such cases, skipping aspirin is crucial.
“Time=heart muscle saved in terms of treatment. Sometimes as simple as chewing an aspirin can literally mean the difference between death and life.”
Final Note
The data presented is based on social media posts and it has not been validated independently for its accuracy. Moreover, it serves merely as a source of information and not meant to substitute for professional medical treatment or consultancy. In case of suspicion that you might be experiencing a heart attack, please do not hesitate and call the emergency services right away.
