A. Life-Saving Measures
Based on the proven benefits observed in ISIS-2, taking aspirin is a life-saving measure when taken within a few hours of chest pain or symptoms resulting from a devel¬oping heart attack. The dose should be one plain 325-mg tablet of aspirin, chewed and swallowed, or pre¬ferably, 2–4 chewable aspirins (80 mg each, a dose of 160–320 mg). It is important for the public at large to recognize that chewable aspirin taken immediately during the pain of heart attack can either prevent a heart attack or prevent death in a significant number of individuals. Most important, the nitroglycerin tablet or spray used under the tongue commonly prescribed and used by patients is of no value in preventing a heart attack or death when the process of myocardial infarction has begun. After a heart attack has been stabilized, an enteric-coated preparation of aspirin is then continued for several years and sometimes indefinitely.
B. Unstable Angina
Unstable angina is characterized by the occurrence of chest pain lasting 10–40 minutes, rarely more than an hour. Pain may wax and wane and eventually culminate in
D. After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
A recent study has confirmed the protective benefits of aspirin use following bypass surgery. It is used to prevent blockage of the bypass graft. A dose of 325 mg daily is useful for the first few years following surgery. Because the atherosclerotic disease is still present in other coronary arteries, complications such as angina and fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction may occur and aspirin is continued to prevent these episodes.

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