This Is How You Develop Plaque - And Why Aspirin Is Life Saving! 

I've been taking a daily dose for nearly 10 years now. I'm in my 50s.

In 2000, at the age of 39, I went to a cardiologist for a routine check-up, and due to family history, I was put on baby aspirin. Now, at 62, I have had zero cardiac events or side effects and am still taking baby aspirin daily despite warnings. Father passed at 57 with his third heart attack; brother, who is one year older, had his first heart attack and stent at 53. Aspirin is the only "medicine" I take, and God willing, it will stay that way. The other things I practice are avoiding stress by adopting a more minimalist lifestyle, less attachments and a realistic understanding what we can control, no smoking, light drinking, intentional movment of the body a few times a week, no margarine, avoiding deep fried foods and vegetable oils, cutting back on processed foods, carbs & sugar, trying to find balance in everything, and avoiding TOXIC people, including family if necessary.

I've been taking aspirin (320 mg/day) for over 45 years now. No issues.

When I had a heart attack, the paramedics had me chew and swallow 4 low dose aspirins. This stopped my attack in about 20-25 minutes. When I got to the hospital, the doctors didn't believe I had a heart attack but kept me over night as a precaution. Blood tests confirmed the attack.

Hello hello...!🤫 Like aspirin, ginger works as a blood thinner which can prevent the formation of clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Ginger also reduces inflammation in the same way as aspirin by blocking COX-2 - the enzyme that promotes inflammation.

Broken hip Told baby aspirin most important pill I am taking. Bleeder in the replacement anterior hip left. BP went down kept me lowered still went up three days later. In rehab just staying sure to get that baby aspirin. Have really progressed well never had anything except positional pain that amazed me too. Bet I beat the record of returning to normal. Said my kidneys were the best number of an 80 treat old they had seen.

Thanks and BRAVO Dr Brewer again and again. Your long life Loyal and appreciative viewer.

Recent UK advice is not to use aspirin due to increased risk of stroke. I have been using nattokinase, which is said to have a strong fibrinolyitic (clot busting) effect, without reducing coagulation, unlike warfarin and similar agents.

Thank you for the information!

I often take one alka seltzer tablet in a large room temp glass of filtered water. I find it relaxes me, reduces overall body pain, and it may help my vascular system flow better....

Garlic is a Safe blood thinner without the side effects of aspirin. Like holes in stomach , colon, intestines..

Excellent ❤

Good stuff Doc!

You probably mentioned this but there is research that says aspirin also inhibits homocysteine production (a protein involved in CVD). Another protein C-reactive protein, which is associated with increased risk can be reduced by consuming mushrooms, which also lower triglycerides. One more benefit of Cialis is that it appears to raise HDL. Maybe you've covered this in other videos. Thank you!

I am a healthy 75 year old. Recently my scan of arteries in my neck and heart were normal. My cardiologist suggested I take baby aspirin due to my age. I had an ablation 4 years ago and have had no AFIB since then. I have read about the negative effects of taking aspirin, internal bleeding and etc. what are your thoughts? Thanks. GW

You are much closer to the truth than most experts. Just ask why smoking is a risk factor for CAD.

Now this was direct clear and concise…..thank you Dr Brewer

Very interesting. Aspirin does many things. It’s also a blood thinner, among others.

I have been the proud owner of a hiatal hernia since my mid-20s. When proton pump inhibitors came out I got on them immediately. My quality of life improved dramatically. Turns out I was damned if I didn't take them for fear of Barrett's esophagus disease or cancer as opposed to what the PPI did in the long term. I am 70 years old weigh 165 and I'm 6'1" and my blood pressure is normal, 126/72 pulse 68-72 and I only have one kidney. I have always eaten well and exercised. I had an EKG done that raised the eyebrow of the doctor. She then suggested a Nuclear Stress Test which came back normal. So she suggested a CT scan of the heart which according to her came back functioning normally. I then asked for a CT CAC test. It came back at 1749. I also have small particle LDLs. No shortness of breath, no chest pain and I do not get tired very easily. My current cardiologist said she'snot worried about me (I found another one.) Here is what I learned about PPIs: I learned that PPIs reduce the enzymatic activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). In this way, PPIs increase plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) 4. Because it inhibits the generation of vascular nitric oxide, ADMA would be expected to increase platelet interaction with the vessel wall. In summary, it means that because of the PPIs I was taking it inhibited the production of nitrous oxide in my blood vessels that protect the endothelial lining of the arteries. The PPI and my small lipids aren't doing me any favors. If you know anyone on a PPI, try and get them off of it. Source: research NIH on PPIs

Great video

A while back I kept hearing baby aspirin could cause bleeding....I decided to get off it for a while...my blood pressure went up. I take several meds for blood pressure, I have essential hypertension, have had it since my 30's, it has been controlled fairly well, thanks to my heart dr. ...I decided it was something I needed to continue..thank you for making me feel better about my decision...I also have plaque in my carotid's .

(In Spock's voice) Fascinating 🖖

Plenty of cardiologists are no longer advocating baby aspirin, especially for older patients where it can do more harm than good. The same people no longer advocate statins. The nationwide clinical trial shows that cardiovascular disease is increasing, despite the promotion of ancient fallacies like baby aspirin and statins, neither of which measurably decrease mortality.

My grandad was fit and healthy all his life and lived to 99 yearS. He took baby asprin for 30 years after his food(This aparently was important. He lived a simple life but was active with gardening, slept well and ate fresh food, but did like the odd whisky and glass if wine. Does taking pills with food, reduce side effects????

Can serratio peptidase help?

Hi Doc and Team. I'm an avid follower and have learned so much from the information you have provided so thank you so much for your ongoing efforts to educate us all AND being interested in always learning as well as more studies come out that could alter our thinking. Ok so here's my question. I have a positive calcium score therefore I have plaque. Last test was 325 +/- and was 3 years ago. Since then I have dramatically improved my life style which has improved my biomarkers in general. I do have moderate risk levels of small LDL particles and Pattern B sadly. I take a low-ish dose statin. I used to take a baby aspirin per my cardiologists recommendation. I developed stomach ulcers which apparently was caused by the baby aspiring. When I stopped taking it, the ulcers healed. So now the question, you tend to recommend baby aspirin if we have plaque (increased risk). Since taking it seems to be an issue for me, do you have a recommendation for me regarding baby aspirin or would it be better to just not take it and keep working on lifestyle/diet and take my statin?? Thanks Doc for any feedback you can offer. Oh, I'm 58 with no history of heart attack or stroke and in general, my health is good.

I believe Nattokinase is as if not more effective than aspirin and a safer alternative. JMHO

Last September, I got 3 stents (after edema and a hospital visit) and was prescribed a baby aspirin and Prasugrel. I also took other natural pills (ginkgo biloba, Vitamin C, D, olive leaf). But I always woke up with a small amount of blood when I blew my nose. I finally stopped the aspirin and the nose bleeds went away. I still take the Prasugrel. I eat healthy (no grains or sugars) but some fruit. I eat Garlic and Onions with Spinach and eggs everyday. I don't have a history of heart attack. The stents were for the "narrowing" (no blockages found).

I have a calcium score of 0 and only a small trace of plaque in carotid artery, but 16 to 49% estimated in abdominal aorta via ultrasound. How is that possible?

Repeating question-comment on effects of nattokinase as blood thinner. I've read it makes blood slippery, that it is common in Asian culture with low heart conditions.

Like several other poeple have asked, I am wondering about nattokinase. I take 2000 FU three times per week. When I donate blood every 2 months, I fill up the bag pretty quick (thinned blood?). My latest blood test showed my myeloperoxidase at 294 pmol/L, with anything under470 listed as low risk, and my Lp-PLA2 at 196 nmol/nmin/mL with anything below225 reduced risk.

MY EXCENTRIC BLOCKAGE. Is my eccentric blockage caused by a hotspot breaching the arterial wall/liner? The doctor said post angiogram he wouldn't put a stent in there because he thought it might make it worse not better. This was eight years ago, and I was 65% in the clear. I was sitting in the chair waiting for the chem test to start and I was looking at a scope that depicted an eccentric blockage before I received any juice. To this day I can't imagine how this would be. All of this was done before a hip replacement.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of physicians who review scientific research to develop guidelines to improve Americans’ health, published new recommendations on April 26 2022 advising against daily aspirin use for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in people age 60 and older.

A previous study conducted by Lee et al. (Lee et al., 2021) reported that patients with regular use of aspirin had a higher risk of developing AMD (Age related macular degeneration) compared to non-aspirin users. However, another study denied this association (Rim et al., 2019).

What about Nattokinase???

Please tell me if aspirin or clopidogrel work the same way

Wow what a fabulous explanation you answered many questions I was thinking of asking, my NP put me on 81 mg of asprin I did not take, I excercise and eat kinda good mostly, so I read bad stuff so I decided no to take asprin t, now that I've watched 3 or 4 of your podcasts I started liking what I'm hearing so now that I've got 2 opinions and yes I have plaque in 1 leg which when told scared me , but anyhow I will get asprin tomorrow and start taking, im a runner and im nervous about the plaque thing and if while I'm excercise if something will happen, it's my therapy to run so cross your fingers asprin and 10 milligrams of atvorstatin k2 and healthy eating will stay under control

As we age, many of us take a few aspirin each week for common aches/pain. The anti-platelet effect lingers.

This is why I take Endocalyx Pro to repair my Glycocalyx and prevent plaque to form

Have you considered lumbrokinase or Natokinase to thin the blood?

Was on candesartan ,bisoprolol,aspirin,and the crestor statin..i would bleed like crazy from a paper cut,my potassium level was elevated and my creatine level was also high,,i quit my beer for a month and the # stayed the same,so i quit the statin and the candesartan and the # are normal,now i am on nothing,should get more blood done now that i have been of everything for a couple months.?

I am told k2 takes out the calcium, also that autophagy removes plaque so I assumed don't need aspirin. How wrong am I?

If you have low inflammation markers, why do you have to take aspirin?

Allergic to aspirin (anaphylaxis), so my cardiologist gave me Plavix. 👍

Take aspirin ,it is good for the blood .once a week I take aspirin .

What about donating blood? And also take 1000 mg of krill oil a Day. Isn’t this as good as taking aspirin daily?

How about Bromelain ?

What if you are on coumadin?

Hi Doc and team. Love your work so thank you for all that you do. Question about this subject. I'm pushing 60, have known plaque, high CAC 470. I take a statin. I was taking baby aspirin however it was causing stomach ulcers so I had to stop. Short course of prilosec cleared up the ulcers. GI Doc told me best not to take baby aspirin. Since fit the category to have some kind of blood thinner, do you have another suggestion? BTW, I even tried taking baby aspirin every few days since it has a half life of about 5 days but I noticed stomach pains so again I stopped. Since fit the category to have some kind of blood thinner, do you have another suggestion?

Should aspirin supplement plavix? I had heart attack.

And now i am on eliquist

I gave up aspirin and take nattokinase and lumbrokinase

Just wondering if a Nano Technology can be programmed to digest & remove the plaque from the arteries?

What do you think of nattokinase?

I had an aortic valve replacement and on coumadin should I use aspirin?

Why are other doctors on RU-vid saying new guidelines say anyone over the age 60 should not be taking low dose asprin because the risk outweighs the benefit? What is someone like me, 72 and taking a low dose for many years, supposed to do?? My doctor doesn't seem to care one way or the other saying "well, if you have been taking this for years with no adverse effects, just keep taking it if you want to".

My comment is big. At age 76, I have taken 325 mg buffered aspirin since age 35. Back then, and in grad school, a fellow student had terminal colon cancer and in pain all the time. He told me his surgeon informed him had he taken buffered aspirin that the colon cancer would likely not occurred. I started that day. 40 years later, I have never had problems with any stomach problems. My colonoscopies had many polyps removed but no cancers. Bottom line, I swear by buffered aspirin. Note NOT coated aspirin. And my doctors continue to tell me to stop with aspirin because of bleeding. Baloney to them all!

Nattokanase and serrapatase

So Doc .. talking about blood thinners ..... i do take vinegar ... that is a natural blood thinner ..does that work too ?

My father solved all his problems with aspirin 100mg ❤. Solved is blurred vision, solved his afib. Our cardiologist tried to kill him with xarelto. We never visit a cardiologist anymore.

doesn't the clove of garlic be doing the same work as baby Aspirin ?

Taking 200mcg of K2/k7 a day good to help your clearing of your arteries???

hi dr brewer! you said you eat a plant based diet but how does one eat a low carb plant based diet when bean and rice are the staples of a vegetarian diet?? are you only eating veggies???

I read serveral different explanation on how plaque forms but are they all hypothesis not proved fact? in this vedio, is it also a hypothesis ? or is it a proved fact?..... the more I read , the more I get confused

Events in those not taking aspirin with EPA and DHA in the second lowest quintile were reduced. Events in those taking aspirin with EPA and DHA in the second lowest quintile were increased. A personalized approach to both aspirin use and omega-3 supplementation may be needed

You don't have to be old. Many people in their 30s and 40s have had widowmaker sudden death heart attacks. I take 2 full strengths aspirins a week and have for the last 20 years. I'm 44. I'm fat and I know I'd be dead by now without that stuff. My diet is horrific.

is it true that aspirin remains in your system for about 10 days, and therefore you could just take about 1 baby aspirin once weekly rather than daily? this could be important for older people would possibly could have stomach issues also bleeding from aspirins. once weekly could cause less complications.

Wondering if I still need to take baby aspirin. I was prescribed that, and blood pressure meds over 10 years ago. But 8 years ago I did suffer a clot in my leg that led to a Pulmonary Embolism and a Myocardial Infarction. I recovered, and was also put on a blood thinner, Savaysa (Edoxoban), besides the blood pressure meds and baby aspirin. So, now that I'm taking a blood thinner, should I still be taking baby aspirin, since aspirin is a blood thinner too?🤔

As primary prevention aspirin users have a 30% increase in cerebral vascular bleeds over placebo (4.7-year study) your advice not to use aspirin for primary prevention is spot on.

How about ntt and nth? Otherwise the only figure I have seen for aspirin is a ntt of 100 but havent seen an nth

will broad spectrum k vitamin negate the benefits of asperin in someone who already had a stroke in the past?

What is the best time to take aspirin?

What dose is baby aspirin?

My problem is Aspirin causes me a burning stomach. My doctor prescribed proton pump inhibitors to stop the burning. But these pump inhibitors cause havoc on your microbiom and can lead to many other problems ?

What do you recommend if you have stent already placed on the coronary artery

aspirin destroys stomach and intestinal linings overtime. Causing stomach and intestinal bleeding-many cardiologist no longer recommends an aspirin a day. But say keep on hand if you feel your having an issue, (along with nitro) and go to the hospital. I have a severe allergy to aspirin of any type.

Just use it when a stroke threatens. Regular use causes internal bruising.

The doctor says I should stop taking baby aspirin as I am already 70 years of age. Is he right?

I take fish oil at bedtime.

Can we replace Aspirin with Nattokinase 200 mcg ??. Any answer .

My doc said don't take it; it thins blood - but then isn't that the prevention? Comment Doc?

81mg is the dose for babies? But what is the required for CVI? 81mg, half 40mg, daily, every other day? Chewable sublingual?

I had a hidden stoke ( incidentaloma on an MRI for something else). Radiologist said it could be a stroke, inflammation or cancer.. I had no symptoms. My PCP wants me to take a baby aspirin. I am also taking 2 grams of fish oil daily. Is it safe to take both?

I'm not supposed to take aspirin due to gerd.

Please explain why aspirin and statins don't work for primary prevention. They both prevent inflammation, aspirin prevents clotting. I don't understand, why the inconsistency? What am I missing?

Can I take K2 M7 with baby aspirin? I have a very high calcium score so I’m on baby aspirin. My cardiologist, however, told me unequivocally not to take K2 because it’s a coagulant. I know that there isn’t any interaction, so if K2 is as effective as it seems to be, I want to be taking it regularly to prevent further calcification and progression of heart disease. I wish there was a consensus in the scientific community!

My cardiologist prescribed me aspirin 100mg daily. I have a 50% occlusion.

100 mcg k2 mk7 at least 3000IE D3 and 3mg of the right kind of Boron does a lot more then asperin. It even ends tartar on your teeth if you take it for a while.

Aspirin will also cause stomach ulcers. Garlic does the same thing without any side effects. Use garlic and don’t do aspirin.

I take a baby aspirin every night before I go to bed instead of a statin. Had a calcium score of 91 and thought it's a good idea.

Why Aspirin when you have so many other blood thinning options including Omega 3, Bromaliean, Nattokianiase and many more.

American Heart Association does not recommend taking Aspirin on daily basis for healthy adults. it does not say anything with regard to calcium score. Unless you suffered from a heart attack or have uncontrolled hypertension taking Aspirin is not recommended. According to AHA Aspirin has a 2b recommendation for healthy adults.

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Will Plavix have the same benefits as aspirin? If not, do you recommend taking aspirin with Plavix?

Would appreciate if you could link to the literature that supports this particular role of Aspirin in secondary prevention. No offense, but trusting a stranger on RU-vid without any references to the evidence is not something I consider good practice.

CBD ALSO WORKS American college of cardiology source

I don't think bruising like a 90 year old can possibly be good for me. Plenty of better things you can take as mentioned below

Hm, and what should a person do with kidneydysfunction? Is taking Asprin than apropiate?? I guess the kidneys would even get worse, wouldn*t it?

What causes plaque though?????

I stopped using aspirin and went to "Natto", Nattokinase