Additional protection against aspirin-induced gastrointestinal bleeding. 81 mg per day or possibly as little as 81 mg every and may be all that is needed. Making a Call on Aspirin Aspirin may be right for the heart and wrong for the GI tract Hort Blumenthal.

The scenario presented in this question is one often confronted by physicians; while each situation is unique, some additional facts may be helpful. Making a Call on Aspirin Aspirin may be right for the heart and wrong for the GI tract A 77-year-old woman with mild coronary heart disease also suffers with diverticulitis. Balancing the risk and benefits of any medication for an individual is often more art than science. While any dose of aspirin will increase your risk of bleeding, the higher the dose, the higher the risk for bleeding. Her cardiologist wants her to take a blood thinner for her heart disease, but her gastroenterologist does not favor any medicine that might irritate her stomach or intestines.

But only a small dose of aspirin is needed to obtain its cardiovascular benefits.