AstraZeneca's heart drug Brilinta reduced risk of heart patients having another heart attack. However, it did show some signs of increased risk of bleeding. While the drug was proven worthy there was a risk of bleeding, which may curb its potential. Patients now receive drugs such as Brilinta, combined with aspirin, for about a year after a heart attack, then switch to aspirin alone. In the latest trial, patients who took Brilinta, also known as ticagrelor, and aspirin for an average of 33 months after their heart attack had a reduction in serious cardiovascular events of about 15 percent, without excess side effects. AstraZeneca shares are near their 52 week low.