The Case For 'Immediate' Aspirin

'Immediate' aspirin has been proven to reduce deaths from heart attack by 20-25% and the earlier it is taken during a heart attack, the greater the benefit. If sudden severe chest pain is experienced a single 300mg tablet of soluble aspirin should immediately be chewed and swallowed, together with a drink of water if readily available.

Aspirin has also been shown to be beneficial if taken for a sudden worsening of anginal pain (unstable angina). A patient who has unstable angina and whose chest pain suddenly becomes worse, or who experiences anginal pain when resting, should also chew and swallow a single 300mg soluble aspirin without delay.

Soluble aspirin tablets should not be swallowed whole.

REMEMBER: IF YOU NEED TO TAKE AN EMERGENCY DOSE OF ASPIRIN YOU MUST DIAL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE FIRST - AND THEN IMMEDIATELY CHEW AND SWALLOW ONE 300mg SOLUBLE ASPIRIN.