Q: I am a 63-year-old diabetic on oral diabetic medications (metformin and matrix diamicron). My HBA1c readings have been 6.9, and recently, 7.4. My HDL cholesterol is slightly below target and my LDL cholesterol is within the limit.

I am on medication also to control my cholesterol levels.

I exercise daily for 30 minutes and have been taking fish oil supplements for many years. Being a diabetic, I may be at risk of a heart attack or stroke although I have no such symptoms at present.

My doctor has suggested that I take Aspirin Cardio as a preventive measure against strokes and heart attacks.

Can you tell me if I should go on Aspirin Cardio now? - Najib Abdullah, Johor Baru

Dr RAHMAN: Being a diabetic, you are at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. One of the primary measures to reduce the risk of CAD and stroke is to take aspirin daily. Aspirin prevents the platelets in our blood from coming together (aggregating) and thus forming clots in our blood vessels. Many big trials have shown that taking soluble aspirin at the lowest dose of 75mg daily reduces the risk of CAD and stroke. But in those above the age of 65, there was increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric erosion. Taking aspirin is therefore not advisable for those above 65, and with a history of peptic ulcer disease, allergy to aspirin and recent history of haemorrhagic stroke. -NST