Low-dose aspirin, an over-the-counter oral medication that makes the blood's clotting cells less sticky, is used to prevent blood clots. After artery disease or an unexplained vein clot, the benefit is strong. In healthy people, a small drop in first heart attacks and strokes comes with a matching rise in serious bleeding. Bowel-cancer protection is possible with long midlife use; starting after seventy brought no healthy-lifespan gain. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | Men 13.5–17.5 g/dL; women 12.0–15.5 g/dL | Aspirin raises anemia risk |
| Ferritin | ≥45 µg/L | Aspirin lowers iron stores |
| Platelet count | 150–400 ×10⁹/L | Low platelets add to bleeding risk |
| eGFR (kidney filtering capacity) | ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² | Kidney disease raises bleeding risk |
| Blood pressure | Below 130/80 mmHg | High pressure raises bleeding inside the skull |
| Serum uric acid (gout-prone people) | 3.5–7.2 mg/dL | Low-dose aspirin raises uric acid |
| Helicobacter pylori test | Negative | Infection raises ulcer and bleeding risk |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; blood count and blood pressure at 3 months, then every 6–12 months; ferritin yearly, or sooner if hemoglobin falls; kidney function yearly after 70