What Causes Tightness In Throat And Hoarse Voice While On Baby Aspirin?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 Jul 2015 Answered on

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking 81 mg of aspirin (baby aspirin) daily for about 8 months. I had heart surgery to repair an atrial septal defect in December. I have noticed for the past two months a tightness in my throat, hoarseness, a clearing my throat.. I know this can be a sign of acid reflux. Could the aspirin be causing this? Also, could this tightness affect spirometry? Is it safe to discontinue aspirin until reflux is under control? What medications and dosage are effective for these symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Acid reflux could be caused by Aspirin

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

Whether you can discontinue the Aspirin, depends on your cardiovascular risks, if you have additional risks which lead to high cardiovascular risk, then the option could be not withdrawing the Aspirin, but changing temporary to another medication, which doesn't affect gastrointestinal tract, e.g. Clopidogrel. I think you should discuss it with your doctor.
About spirometry, such problems can't affect it's results, unless you can't breath normal due to the throat problems during the test.
If you are sure it is acid reflux, which I can't say without seeing the patient, you can use Omeprazole or Pantoprazole, for a week.

Hope I could help you

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar