People’s Pharmacy: I’ve taken a high dose of aspirin daily for years for my heart condition. Should I cut back?

A. For decades, Americans were told to take a standard dose aspirin pill (325 milligrams) to prevent a heart attack. Then, that advice was modified, and the recommended dose was lowered to 81 milligrams. That is a so-called baby aspirin, although pediatricians do not recommend giving children aspirin. The dosage reduction for adults was to reduce the risk of stomach irritation or bleeding.

In recent years, most cardiologists have determined that otherwise healthy people do not need to take aspirin. Their fear is that bleeding episodes could counterbalance any benefit such individuals might gain from even a small aspirin dose. People like you, however, are at higher risk for heart problems because you had bypass surgery. Doctors usually advise them to continue taking aspirin.

While you certainly could check with your cardiologist, the cardiology nurse practitioner seems to be up to date on the prescribing guidelines. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology both recommend that people take aspirin indefinitely following bypass surgery, with 81 milligrams considered an acceptable dose for many individuals.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”