The Queen's Chair: Aspirin For Heart Attacks: Chew or Swallow?
Doctors recommend that people who are having a heart attack take an aspirin to stop blood clots from forming in the arteries. But should you take a chewable aspirin? A tablet? Something else? In a small study from the University of California, researchers had 14 people ages 20 to 61 swallow regular aspirin, chew regular aspirin or take chewable aspirin. Their blood was then checked to see which technique led to highest levels of the drug in the body. the result? Those who took the chewable aspirin had the highest levels compared to people who either swallowed or chewed whole regular pills. So before you stock up on aspiring, ask your healthcare provider if you should switch to chewable...it may save your life.
Great information Sister Marsha. I think the chewable baby aspirin taste better anyway. All patients that are suspected of having heart attacks via 12 lead ECG findings and or blood work are immediately given 4 baby aspirin (80 mg) before they come to my unit, the CCU (coronary care unit).