WHY I KEEP ASPIRIN ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES

ASPIRIN really is a wonder drug — it has gone from being a reliable painkiller to saving the lives of countless people who’ve had a heart attack by preventing blood clots forming.

That’s why if you or a loved one has the symptoms, such as crushing chest pain radiating down your left arm, you may well be advised to take 300mg of aspirin while waiting for the ambulance.

But should you be taking aspirin as a preventative? I’ve been toying with the idea of taking a daily low dose (75mg) to protect myself against a heart attack and reduce my risk of colon cancer. But now the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that if you’re not already on aspirin and don’t have a medical reason for starting, then the risks (such as a bleed in the gut) outweigh the potential benefits.

So I won’t be taking aspirin daily — though I will be carrying some in case of an emergency.