Final answer:
Aspirin is used in acute coronary syndrome because it helps prevent blood clot formation by inhibiting platelet aggregation. It is often recommended for high-risk individuals to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, but consultation with a physician is necessary due to side effects like ulcers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a medication with a variety of uses, including pain relief, fever reduction, and inflammation control. When it comes to patients experiencing an acute coronary syndrome, aspirin is beneficial because it prevents blood clot formation. It does this by inhibiting the aggregation of platelets, which are cell fragments in the blood that are essential to clotting. For individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease, like men older than 90, postmenopausal women, and younger persons with risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or smoking, a regular low dose of aspirin might be recommended. However, this should only be considered after consulting with a physician, due to serious potential side effects such as an increased risk of ulcers.