Taking aspirin every day may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. But daily aspirin therapy isn't for everyone. Is it right for you?

The answer depends on your age, overall health, history of heart disease, and risk of heart attack or stroke.

Daily aspirin therapy may be used in two ways:

• Primary prevention. This means that you've never had a heart attack or stroke. You've never had coronary bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty with stent placement. You've never had blocked arteries in your neck, legs or other parts of the body. But you take a daily aspirin to prevent such heart events. The benefit of aspirin for this use has been debated.
• Secondary prevention. This means that you had a heart attack or stroke, or you have known heart or blood vessel disease. You're taking a daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. The benefit of daily aspirin therapy in this situation is well established.