Aspirin Resistance Blood Test

Close to 26 million Americans or 20% of adults in USA take low-dose Aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Doctors prescribe Aspirin in low doses to patients to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke, primary or secondary in nature. Aspirin benefits the heart in many ways.

Checks inflammation: Inflammation in the heart is a result of plaque build-up. Over time the plaque build-up narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow. There are chances of blood clot formation which can obstruct blood flow or break off the plaque. This can deeply affect the organ connected to the artery. There is also a possibility of the plaque to break off and cause an obstruction. Clogged arteries increase the chances of heart attack, stroke and sometimes even death. Low dose aspirin becomes essential.

Acetylsalicylic Acid fights inflammation by blocking the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. By blocking this enzyme, the body finds it hard to produce prostaglandins, the chemicals that facilitate the inflammatory response.

Stalls blood clots: Aspirin interferes with and stalls the formation of blood clots. It blocks the action of chemicals that produce blood clots. With specific reference to the heart, blood clot formation can block the artery, the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle tissue. This increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. If Aspirin is taken, it prevents artery-blocking blood clot formation and the risk is considerably reduced.

Every patient who is prescribed Aspirin need not necessarily respond well and get the preventive benefits. In spite of a daily aspirin, patients with continued high levels of thromboxane are considered to be at increased risk of heart attack or stroke compared to patients without elevated levels. To determine and evaluate that the non-response is due to Aspirin resistance, a test is required. One way to determine is through Aspirin resistance blood test.

People who are likely to be categorized as Aspirin resistance include:

• If diagnosed with a disease such as peripheral vascular disease and other inflammatory processes that produce chemicals (thromboxane) that can reduce aspirin's beneficial effect.
  
  
• Those taking medications (such as ibuprofen, Naproxen) that interfere with the intended anti-clotting effect of aspirin.
  
  
• Those undergoing high levels of stress
  
  
• If genetically poor responders to NSAID therapy
  
  
• If the dosage is far too low
  
  
• Diabetic persons
  
  
• Overweight people
  
  
• Older adults.

A blood test using a specific device is used to diagnose Aspirin resistance. The test measures the thromboxane levels (higher levels indicate that aspirin is less effective). The purpose of the test is to determine if a patient is likely to benefit from aspirin. If the blood sample shows that aspirin doesn't inhibit blood clotting as it should, the patient is deemed aspirin resistant. Test results are available in less than 10 minutes.