The Doctor is In

As a cardiologist specializing in heart disease prevention, Dr. Jayne Middlebrooks talks to patients every day about daily aspirin therapy. Here are her views and answers to common questions.

How do you decide who may benefit from daily aspirin therapy?

I evaluate my patients to determine their overall risk level for heart disease. I consider people's age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I also evaluate patients for conditions that can contribute to heart disease – such as diabetes or smoking – or a family history of heart disease. After reviewing all of this information, I decide if a patient is a candidate for 81mg aspirin therapy.

What aspirin dosage do you recommend to your patients?

I recommend 81mg aspirin for most of my patients. That's because this low dose provides effective cardio-protection. Higher doses of aspirin are associated with increased risk of serious stomach problems.

How does heart disease affect African Americans?

Although heart disease remains the number one cause of death for all Americans, African Americans have disproportionately higher rates of heart disease than the general population. For example, African Americans are more likely to die of heart disease than Caucasian Americans when differences in age were taken into account. In particular, African American women face the highest risk for death from heart disease.

The good news is that many heart disease risk factors can be controlled. African Americans can talk to their doctors to discuss their overall heart disease risk and take steps – including, if appropriate, daily 81mg aspirin therapy – to reduce their risk.

Is aspirin right for everyone?

Not always. If you have aspirin allergies, stomach ulcers or reduced kidney or liver function, you may not be a candidate for aspirin therapy. Also, if you have more than three alcoholic drinks a day, you may be advised against aspirin therapy. Always check with your doctor before initiating aspirin therapy for your heart.

Meet Dr. Middlebrooks

Jayne Middlebrooks, MD, is a noninvasive cardiologist in Atlanta, GA. She is an active member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, and the Southern Medical Association. Recently, she was featured as a medical expert on heart disease on Headline News at CNN. She has also completed the editing of the book, "How To Get Into Medical School," and contributes to Preventive Medicine and Cardiology portions of the information web site of Students of Medicine (SOM) at Dartmouth Medical School.