Aspirin appeared and used fro treatment of headache alone or in combination with paracetamol and caffeine long time back .It was very much an effective remedy.But is notorious to cause stomach problem in form of gastritis, ulcers and bleeding.Then it was not used for many years till its beneficial effect in myocardial ischaemia and infarction was rediscovered.In low doses, as low as 75 mgs per day is prescribed to myocardial infarction patients to keep their blood more fluid i.e. to prevent thrombosis.It is also prescribed in combination with other thrombolytic agents.The advantage it has is low cost and easy availability. It is said that if heart attack is suspected and nothing is found a tablet of aspirin will prevent much damage to heart muscle.The potential side effect ,gastrointestinal bleeding can be prevented by other anti-ulcerogenic drugs.
Researchers also say that aspirin helps in early diagnosis of colon cancer.The hall mark of colon cancer is painless bleeding per anus besides other symptoms.the bleeding tendency is probably facilitated by aspirin.
It is still the drug of choice for a very important disease called Rheumatic arthritis having much dreaded sequelae of rheumatic heart disease.
So in right doses and judicious combination it is a panacea for health.