ABSTRACT
Antiplatelet therapies have been widely used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, antiplatelet agents cause gastrointestinal (GI) damage and are associated with a greater risk of gastroduodenal ulcers and life-threatening ulcer complications. The first step to reduce the GI risk of antiplatelet therapy is to assess whether the patient requires continuous antiplatelet therapy. The second step is to eliminate risk factors that may place the patient at greater GI risk such as Helicobacter pylori infection, NSAID use, steroid ingestion, and smoking. Continuous aspirin therapy plus a powerful proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is the choice of treatment for antiplatelet-related peptic ulcers. The risk of cardiovascular complications and risk of gastric complication using antiplatelet agents should be evaluated individually.