This information is from a previous study with a cardiologist.

If you’ve been on 325 mg of aspirin daily since your stent 14 years ago, it makes sense to re-evaluate the dose now that you’re older and far beyond the period of highest stent-related risk.

1. What most guidelines suggest now:

For long-term prevention after the first year, most cardiology guidelines (ACC/AHA, ESC) recommend 81 mg daily because:

It gives similar heart protection to 325 mg.

It has significantly lower bleeding risk, which becomes more important as we age.

Because you’re 73 and well past the period of risk for stent thrombosis, many cardiologists would lean toward the lower dose unless there’s a specific reason not to.

2. When 325 mg might still be preferred:

A higher dose is usually kept only if someone has:

Needed the higher dose for another condition (e.g., recurrent blood clots, certain valve issues, or specific neurological conditions).

A history of stent complications, very high clot-risk anatomy, or recurrent heart events while on 81 mg (rare).

Specific cardiologist instructions due to unique factors in their case.

If none of those apply to you, most doctors would not see a strong reason to continue the 325 mg indefinitely.

3. Do you need to taper?

Aspirin does not require tapering.
You can switch straight from 325 mg → 81 mg the next day. That said, make sure your cardiologist or primary-care doctor is aware of the change.

4. The safest next step:

Because every heart history has nuances, it’s always best to run this past your cardiologist, especially since stent details and any other medications matter. But for the typical patient 14 years out from a stent with no issues, moving to 81 mg is usually appropriate and safer long-term.

*Absolutely* check with your doctor before you make any change.