Aspirin helps to relieve pain and inflammation. It also helps to bring down a fever.
Aspirin is also a blood-thinning medicine. It prevents special cells in the blood -- the platelets -- from sticking to each other. This reduces the risk of harmful blood clots forming. Blood clots that form in a blood vessel inside the heart or brain can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Aspirin may be used on its own or together with other medicines to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who are at risk.
Aspirin is also used together with other medicines to prevent blood clots in people who have had stents inserted into their heart arteries. It can also be used to prevent harmful blood clots in people who have an artificial heart valve.
Aspirin can also be used for other medical conditions, as decided by your doctor.