I’ve been taking 325 mg for my stent placed 14 years ago

When my stent was placed in 2011, a was told to take aspirin 325 and Plavix for 12 months, I was getting black and blue all over. I stopped taking Plavix and that problem went away.

@joem it would be best to check with your doctor before switching dosages.

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.

I value your opinions, it’s better to be informed, educated based on facts. Since my stent in 2011, I am on my third cardiologist , I have not had any complications or changes in medication.
Cardiologist 1 left to work in the USA , better pay than in Puerto Rico
Cardiologist 2, replaced due to when inquiries of my medication and doses informed me that he was the doctor and I the patient.
Cardiologist 3 does not question the treatment of former colleagues.
I currently take a Avapro 300mg, aspirin 325mg and Crestor 40mg.

#joem
I found a couple articles you may find valuable, if you haven’t seen them already:
- Mayo Clinic re: Daily Aspirin Benefits and Risks: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797
- How To Stope Taking Aspirin: https://biologyinsights.com/how-to-stop-taking-daily-aspirin-safely/

I am concerned for you making a decision on your own to reduce the amount of aspirin you take, especially when I read the section, “ When aspirin is abruptly stopped, levels of substances that promote clotting can increase, leading to heightened platelet activation and making blood more prone to clotting. This physiological shift can result in an increased risk of blood clot formation, potentially triggering a cardiovascular event.”

Is there a particular reason you want to reduce the amount of aspirin you are taking?

@tommy901
Thank you very much.

@joem You are welcome 😁

@jlharsh I recently was prescribed by a podiatrist diclofenac potassium 50 mg two times a day for pain related to plantar fasciitis, on the second day of taking this medication I got all blushed turning red. I immediately stopped taking it. I went to my cardiologist and he indicated that medication with the aspirin could cause bleeding in the GI tract due to my age(73).
I just don’t want to develop problems with my kidneys or my stomach at this point. My blood pressure is more than controlled , my total colesterol numbers are 163. And like my second cardiologist told me “ I am not a doctor” but I don’t take medication blindly.

After a year they reduced me to 81. Call your cardiologist.

@rashida Three stents were placed in my LAD artery 2 1/2 years ago. I have been taking two 60 mg of the anti-coagulant, Brilinta, daily, one 81 mg aspirin daily, and a shot of Repatha every two weeks.

My echo, about 3 months ago, was very good and even slightly improved over the one a year earlier. My cardiologist says he may take me off of the Brilinta, at 3 years, in July. I do bruise and a fall might be devastating at my age, 81, and I do get short of breath, which I attribute to the Brilinta. I am not sure if I will need to take another blood thinner, but I imagine I will still be taking the 81 mg aspirin.