aspirin also acts directly on platelets by blocking formation of thromboxane, inhibiting aggregation.
"Gotta minute to add to this?"
Sure. The easiest way to explain this is that there are two sides to the reaction for clot forming. First is the development of chemicals from the damaged cells which are sent out to attract and excite platelets into action. The second is the receptors on the platelets which sense those chemicals and start to stick together. Aspirin actually plays 2 roles. First it inhibits the release of the chemicals from the cells and second it reduces inflammation which makes artery disease progress more. Clopidogrel (Plavix) works from the side of the platelets themselves, numbing their senors which react to the chemicals from the damages cells. So you are hitting both sides of the clotting action by taking both medications. I had a lot of problems with Aspirin affecting my stomach, even the gastric resistant ones. My Cardiologist said to take just the Clopidogrel because he would choose this over aspirin anyway if one had to be chosen.
I was taken off Clopidogrel after my bypass surgery because my cholesterol levels were perfect. Soon after, my bypass veins failed totally. I'm taking it now as well as aspirin. Just throwing this out as something to talk to your doctor about.
i was taken off clopigogrel. I still take aspirin. I'm most intrigued by your saying clop comes at the problem from another side. Gotta minute to add to this? My stent was four years ago and seems to bave been a good job.
It is becoming more acceptable now that clopidogrel is a benefit for life. While aspirin works on one side of the clotting process, clopidogrel works from another. You say your heart attack was caused by cholesterol but this isn't strictly true. Cholesterol is one of the later processes which makes the heart attack happen but isn't the initial cause. The initial cause is damage to your artery linings which can be through blood pressure or bad diet. I would read up on the causes of heart disease and try to understand the different processes involved. Too many people are fighting the last stage instead of the first.