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Daily aspirin therapy: Understand the benefits and risks

If you take daily aspirin, is it still safe to take an aspirin during a heart attack?

Yes. Taking aspirin during a heart attack is safe and recommended. If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 or emergency medical services. Don't delay calling for help. Aspirin alone won't save your life if you're having a heart attack.

When you call for help, the emergency operator may tell you to chew an aspirin, but will first ask if you have an aspirin allergy or other health conditions that would make taking an aspirin unsafe. It's OK to chew an aspirin if your health care provider has previously told you to do so if you think you're having a heart attack — but always call 911 or emergency medical services first.