Explanation: "Aspirin can help keep blood clots from forming and dissolve blood clots that can cause heart attacks."

Why is this important?: "The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart can't get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Chewing an aspirin as soon as symptoms of a heart attack begin may help reduce the severity of the attack."

 

Taken from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services: Hospital Information for Consumers

http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/Hospital/Static/ConsumerInformation_tabset.asp?activeTab=2&language=English&version=default