Aspirin has been shown to help prevent heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends aspirin use for those who’ve had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), unstable angina, ischemic stroke (caused by blood clot) or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), if not contraindicated. Studies show aspirin also helps prevent these events from occurring in people who are at high risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, such as in people with diabetes. Aspirin has been proven to help prevent the recurrence of such events as heart attack, as well as hospitalization for recurrent angina and second strokes.