Do aspirin and ibuprofen offer the same defense against heart attack?

Aspirin and ibuprofen serve different roles in heart health. Aspirin is often used in low doses to reduce the risk of heart attacks by inhibiting platelet aggregation, thus preventing blood clots. In contrast, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that primarily reduces pain and inflammation but does not have the same protective effects on the heart. Therefore, while both are pain relievers, only aspirin is typically recommended for heart attack prevention.