Side Effects from Aspirin Therapy?

[DJE]

I had bypass surgery in 1997 and have been taking blood pressure medicine, lipid control medicine, and aspirin since then. I had been taking 87mg aspirin tablet a day until about a year ago when my doctor upped that to 325mg per day (no reason given).
Some time in the last year or so I began to experience significant ringing in the ears (tinnitus?). About three months ago I started to have some stomach problems, some of which I had before, but which are now more uncomfortable (belching, bloating, occasional pain, but no noticeable heartburn). In the last month or so, I have begun to break out into cold sweats during the day in situations of even mild exertion.
I visited my cardiac physicians who reassured me that I was not having heart problems (in fact, I was in very good shape), but he was unable to satisfactorily address the issue of the stomach pain and excessive sweating.
My question is: could these problems (ringing ears, stomach discomfort, and sweating)be associated with the 325 mg a day aspirin therapy? If so, are there other options than this to help guard against clotting? My Dr. recently asked me to increase my potassium intake. I'm wondering if this has to do with the sweating as well?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear DJE,
Aspirin has been shown to have significant health benefits in all adults and especially so in those with heart disease.  The dosage recommended ranges between 81mg and 325mg a day.  I am not aware of data that shows that 325mg is more effective than 81 mg a day. Aspirin toxicity can result in ringing in the ears but usually the dosage must be very high (>2000 mg a day).  Stomach upset however can be caused by lower doses.  Some things that may help decrease stomach upset are lower dose (e.g. 81 mg), enteric coating and taking with food.  There are other options to aspirin (e.g. ticlid) but these are expensive and also have potential side effects. I know of no association between aspirin (or potassium) and excessive sweating.  

[No Bypass / No Stents]

Aspirin is highly overrated and perhaps does more damage than good.  It's possible that it's rep for preventing heart attacks is somewhat overblow and the result of a successful PR campaign by the Bayer company.

A good daily walk and your Lipitor should keep the lipids out of your plaques and prevent future coronary trombosis.

My motto is: No Beta Blockers, No Nitrates, and No Blood Thinners for active healthy coronary heart patients, who want to recover.  My personal experience is that all of these medications are counter-productive, unless you are sedentary.

I do believe in statins and ace inhibitors however.

[NanaRose]

My friend had a heart attack.  Her doctor placed her immediately on cholesterol lowering meds, one baby aspirin (81mg) and one FOLIC ACID pill per day.   I believe the Folic Acid is either 400mg or 600mgs.  This was suprising to me so I also started taking the Folic Acid with one baby aspirin per day.  Then I read in the paper recently that Folic Acid is what many physicians give their heart patients.  You may want to talk with your doc about this.  Folic Acid is over the counter.  

Good Luck....P.S. When I take 2 or 3 Aspirins in a days time, I do get buzzing, ringing in the ears also, severe heartburn.  I need the aspirin for arthritis so the doc has placed me on Nexium.  It is very similar to prilosec and helps me with the tummy problems.  You may want to check this out also and ask your doc about over the counter meds like Zantac, etc.

[Buck Master]

Im 36 years old and Ive had Atrial Fib for about 3 years. Im wondering if anybody knows if certain foods give them missed beats. I have found out on my own certain foods do this to me.