Should I stop aspirin before surgery?
Many surgeons ask patients to hold aspirin before surgery, but whether you should stop it depends on why you take aspirin and the type of surgery. Aspirin affects blood clotting, which can increase bleeding risk during and after an operation.
If you take aspirin for heart disease or stroke prevention, stopping it can sometimes increase the risk of a clotting event. That’s why the decision is individualized—surgeons and prescribing clinicians often coordinate.
How long before surgery do people usually stop aspirin?
A common practice is to stop aspirin several days before surgery to reduce bleeding risk, but the exact timing varies by:
- the surgery type (minor vs. major, and whether bleeding is especially risky)
- your aspirin dose (low-dose vs. full-dose)
- your personal clotting risk (for example, prior stents, prior stroke, recent heart attack)
Your surgeon’s instructions are the safest rule for timing.
What if I’m taking aspirin for a stent, heart attack, or stroke?
If aspirin is being used for secondary prevention (for example, after a coronary stent or prior cardiovascular event), teams often try to avoid stopping aspirin unless necessary. Sometimes they continue aspirin through surgery; other times they stop temporarily and restart quickly after, depending on bleeding risk and how urgent the procedure is.
What surgeries are more likely to require holding aspirin?
Procedures with a higher bleeding consequence are more likely to need aspirin held, such as:
- surgeries in closed spaces where bleeding is dangerous
- some neurosurgical or eye procedures
- operations where surgeons anticipate difficult bleeding control
Less bleeding-risk procedures may allow continued low-dose aspirin in some cases.
When should aspirin be restarted after surgery?
Restart timing depends on how well bleeding is controlled and your baseline clotting risk. Many instructions aim for as soon as the surgeon considers it safe, but the exact timing should come from your post-op plan.
What should I do right now?
- Follow your surgeon’s pre-op instructions exactly.
- Do not stop aspirin on your own if it was prescribed for a heart or stroke reason unless the surgical team tells you to.
- If you already held it, call the surgical team to confirm whether you should resume and when.
If you tell me these details, I can help you interpret typical guidance
What surgery are you having, and why are you taking aspirin (low-dose 81 mg for heart/stroke prevention vs. other reasons)?