ASPIRIN® 81mg for Emergency Use during Heart Attacks: Approved in Canada

In the event of a heart attack call 911, then crush or chew two ASPIRIN^® 81mg.

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - One heart attack occurs every seven minutes in Canada, with an estimated 70,000 heart attacks annually.¹ Women are less likely to believe they're having a heart attack, and are more likely to put off seeking treatment.²  Despite this risk, most Canadians aren't prepared in the event of a heart attack. Now that ASPIRIN^® 81mg is approved in Canada for emergency use during heart attacks, Canadians can take a small step that may help save their lives. The message is simple: Canadians should always keep ASPIRIN^® 81mg on hand. Be prepared and if you think you or someone around you is having a heart attack, call 911, then crush or chew two ASPIRIN^® 81mg tablets.

"With the prevalence of heart attacks among Canadians – almost 70,000 each year, this Canadian approval is a significant advancement to helping Canadians be prepared," says Dr. Alan Bell, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. "While many Canadians 40-plus admit to worrying about having a heart attack, many simply don't know what they can do to take action. This announcement offers Canadians a simple solution to taking control of their own health."

A new Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by Bayer Inc. reveals only half (51 per cent) of Canadians* 40 years and older agree they are prepared in the event of a heart attack, despite the fact that 94 per cent agree they are not too young to worry about having a heart attack.³ Among those surveyed, Canadian* women feel least prepared for a heart attack (49 per cent agree they feel prepared) when compared to other emergency situations, such as a house fire (66 per cent) or power outage (86 per cent).⁴

CANADIANS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• More people have candles, flashlights and dry foods for a blackout (92 per cent) than a first aid kit in the house (76 per cent) or ASPIRIN® in the medicine cabinet (62 per cent).⁵
• The vast majority of Canadians*, over nine in ten, think heart attacks can happen at any time of day, in any setting.⁶ Canadians*, however, believe they are most likely to occur during outdoor activities (84 per cent)⁷ and at the gym (83 per cent).⁸
• Only half (51 per cent) of Canadians* 40-plus agree they are prepared in the event of a heart attack, yet 70 per cent are prepared for a house fire, and 85 per cent are prepared for a power outage/blackout.⁹
• Seventy-three per cent of Canadians* believe you should have ASPIRIN® 81mg with you at all times so that you can take in the event of a heart attack after calling 911.¹⁰

"This is a significant development for Canadians. We're thrilled that the potentially lifesaving role of Aspirin 81mg during heart attacks is now recognized," says Elizabeth Beemer, Vice President and General Manager, Bayer Consumer Care, Bayer Inc. "Aspirin has been contributing to the health and wellness of consumers for more than 100 years. This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits yet."

Currently, Bayer's ASPIRIN^® 81mg is the only over-the-counter, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) brand approved in Canada with the claim – Call 911, then crush or chew two tablets. ASPIRIN^® may help save your life if you think you are having a heart attack. 

*excludes Québec

About ASPIRIN^® 81mg
ASPIRIN^® 81mg is an anti-platelet medicine from Bayer Inc. ASPIRIN^® 81mg is available in Enteric Coated and Quick Chews^® tablet formats¹¹. To make sure this product is suitable for you, always read and follow the label. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have further questions.

About Bayer Inc.
Bayer Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Bayer AG and the corporate headquarters for the Canadian operations. Founded in 1863, Bayer AG is an international research-based group with core businesses in healthcare, crop science and innovative materials committed to creating a better life for all through science.

In Canada, Bayer operates its healthcare business – Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Animal Health and Radiology & Interventional – from its headquarters in Mississauga, ON, and Bayer CropScience Inc. operates out of its head office in Calgary, AB. Together with its material science business, Bayer improves the quality of life for Canadians through products that fight disease, protect crops and animals, and provide high-performance materials for numerous daily life uses. 

With more than 1,300 employees across the country, in 2013, Bayer had sales of $1.6 billion and invested $61 million in research and development in Canada. Globally, Bayer AG had sales of €40.2 billion and invested €3.2 billion in research and development. For more information about Bayer, please visit http://www.bayer.ca/.

About Ipsos Reid Survey

These are findings from an Ipsos Reid online survey of n=1,004 Canadians excluding Quebec, age 40 and older, conducted between August 29 to September 3, 2014. The total sample is accurate within +/-3.5 percentage points had all Canadians in this sample universe been surveyed.

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¹ "Statistics." Heartandstroke.ca. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
² "Warning Signs." The Heart Truth. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Web. 8 Oct. 2014.
³ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁴ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁵ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁶ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁷ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁸ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
⁹ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
¹⁰ Ipsos Reid. ASPIRIN Acute MI Survey. 3 Sept. 2014. Survey data. Canada.
¹¹ ASPIRIN® 81mg." Bayer ASPIRIN 81mg. Bayer Healthcare Canada, 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.

SOURCE: Bayer Inc.

Communications Contacts: Liana Del Medico, Bayer Inc., 416.248.3017, [email protected]; Kathleen Edmondson, Citizen Relations, 647.537.9497, [email protected]