The following health tips have been compiled from a variety of informational articles printed in health magazines across the country. This information is educational only, and it should not take the place of regular visits with your physician. Many people at risk of a heart attack are told by their doctors to take low-dose aspirin daily to inhibit the clotting action of blood. Some experts now believe that aspirin may also be beneficial because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation is a normal immune system response to a chronic low-grade infection.
A Harvard study found the risk of heart attack three times higher in men with the highest blood levels of C-reactive protein, a substance released during inflammation. This risk was alleviated somewhat, however, in subjects who took aspirin. The best way to avoid a heart attack is to know the risk factors. About 30 to 40 percent of heart attacks occur every year in individuals with no known risk factors. Many authorities believe that chronic infections may play a role in many of these heart attacks.