How Omega 3 Works to Help Heart
Today many people are constantly seeking short cuts in many aspects of their lives. People use short cuts to get to a destination, make money, and even to remain healthy. One of the most common short cuts for maintaining cardiovascular 
health is the use of aspirin. Aspirin has long been used to help prevent blood clotting, stroke, and heart attack, and doctors frequently recommend aspirin to people who are at risk for or have had a heart attack or stroke. Many people who’ve had cardiovascular surgeries also use aspirin, and many diabetics often consume aspirin.
Unfortunately, there are no short cuts to maintaining a healthy body. Recent studies have shown that aspirin has very little or absolutely no positive affect for those with cardiovascular conditions. It is important for everybody to realize that nothing can replace a healthy diet and a good exercise program – especially aspirin. To support the cardiovascular system through diet the amount of processed foods that the body consumes should be greatly reduced. Processed foods commonly contain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and large amounts of sodium, which can damage the heart. The body needs raw foods, fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Providing the body with plenty of omega 3 fatty acids is also essential to maintaining cardiovascular function. Fish is a great source for omega-3s, but many people don’t consume enough fish. If this is the case, an omega-3 supplement will help. The body also needs plenty of Vitamin D and K, and sugar consumption should be reduced as much as possible. Keeping a good sleep schedule can also help to maintain cardiovascular health.
The Studies
There have been numerous studies conducted in recent years that have proven that aspirin isn’t as beneficial to the cardiovascular system as many people think. Research has shown that aspirin has no affect on mortality rate, and people who regularly take aspirin don’t live longer. Some studies on aspirin and the cardiovascular system included the following:
- A study conducted in 2004 researched the affect of aspirin on 279 patients who had experienced heart failure. This study actually showed the direct opposite of what many people thought, and it was found that those who frequently consumed aspirin had more severe cardiovascular conditions than those who didn’t.
- A 2010 study researched whether or not aspirin had any effect on mortality rates in those who experienced acute coronary syndrome. Acute coronary syndrome is any condition that quickly reduces blood flow to the heart. Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome include chest pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety. Acute coronary syndrome often leads to heart conditions, like a heart attack or angina, and research shows that patients who took aspirin were more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular ailments.
- Another study conducted at Harvard studied the long-term effects of aspirin on women. Forty thousand women were tested over a span of ten years, and the research found that aspirin offered no benefits for women.
It is commonly believed that patients with diabetes should also consume aspirin. Diabetics are more likely to succumb to heart disease, and doctors frequently recommend aspirin to diabetics who have a family history of heart disease or to diabetics who’ve had a stroke, heart attack, bypass surgeries, or angina. The benefits of aspirin for diabetes have also been recently disputed, and there have been a number of studies conducted. Three of these include:
- The British Medical Journal studied aspirin and diabetics in 2009, and they found that aspirin had no effect on the cardiovascular system in diabetics.
- Another study in 2009 found that aspirin offered no benefits, and in fact increased the occurrence of severe internal bleeding.
- A study done in the United Kingdom studied 7374 subjects, and also found that aspirin didn’t support the cardiovascular function of diabetics.
So What Does Aspirin Do?
It is apparent that aspirin really doesn’t benefit the cardiovascular system, and on top of that using aspirin regularly comes with some harmful side effects. It is believed by some researchers that aspirin alters the way that heart conditions are revealed to the body. Aspirin hides cardiovascular ailments, and people who take aspirin actually have an increase in the occurrence of sudden death.
Aspirin hinders the blood’s ability to clot, and it can increase bleeding – especially in the gastrointestinal tract. Aspirin’s ability to damage the GI tract is often over looked, but it’s without a doubt a concerning side effect. Research shows that aspirin can cause GI injuries, and one study found that it only took two weeks for aspirin to create bowel injuries that affected blood flow in subjects with a healthy GI tract. Even relatively low doses of aspirin, like those used to support the cardiovascular system – can cause problems within the GI tract.
Aspirin can also cause ulcers, and they are most likely to occur in the duodenum. The duodenum is the top of the intestines, and it is where substances being digested first enter the intestines. These ulcers are likely to bleed, and because aspirin can make it hard for the body to clot its blood, it can be hard to stop the ulcers from bleeding. Research has also shown that aspirin can develop peptic ulcers. A study conducted in Japan found that 10 percent of people who had duodenum ulcers also developed peptic ulcers. These effects can be particularly detrimental to the elderly, who are commonly prescribed aspirin to help with cardiovascular ailments.
Many people have been taking aspirin for years to help support cardiovascular health. Recently these beneficial effects have been disputed, and numerous studies have shown that aspirin has no affect on the cardiovascular system. One study even showed that aspirin can cause more severe cardiovascular ailments, and it may also increase the occurrence of sudden death. Using aspirin can also cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract. There are many short cuts that can be taken in life, but there are absolutely no short cuts to maintaining a healthy body and cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of aspirin cannot replace a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet and regular exercise.
Dr David M. Spitz is the founder and clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, located in Bristol, CT. Since 1982, he has treated thousands of patients for various conditions ranging from neck and back pain, to migraine headaches. He specializes in treating patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and/or back injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Spitz was a volunteer EMT-I and a lieutenant for several years at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He has lectured throughout CT on various topics including, chiropractic, stress management, headaches and preventing back injury in the workplace.
