Why You Should Never Take Aspirin at Home During a Stroke

Strokes are an urgent medical emergency that require immediate attention. In fact, doctors use the acronym F-A-S-T to promote quick recognition and treatment for stroke. Knowing how critical it is to take action, many people may be tempted to treat their stroke themselves while waiting for paramedics.

“People think if they’re having a stroke they should take an aspirin,” says Carolyn Brockington, MD, neurologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. “That’s a big mistake — it might be a significant problem to actually take a blood thinner if the stroke you’re having is a bleeding stroke,” says Dr. Brockington. If you’re having a hemorrhagic stroke — or a bleeding stroke — an aspirin will make your stroke outcome worse. Never begin aspirin therapy without first talking to your doctor.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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