OBJECTIVES: To analyze the annual health care utilization by patients dispensed platelet aggregation inhibitors excluding heparin.  METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal descriptive database study of the utilization of health care of patients from the South-West region of Sweden (1.5 million inhabitants).  All patients who were dispensed platelet aggregation inhibitors, excluding heparin (N05AC) during 2007 and who had a cardiovascular principal diagnosis (chapter 9, ICD-10) were included in the study. Only costs related to cardiovascular care (i.e. visits with a cardiovascular diagnosis) were included.  RESULTS:  A total of 46,742 patients had at least one dispensed platelet aggregation inhibitor and at least one cardiovascular related health care visit during 2007 in the South-West region of Sweden. A total of 15,779 had at least one in-patient stay, 18,211 had at least one out-patient visit, and 28,432 had at least one primary care visit.  The total costs of in- and out-patient care, primary care, and of platelet aggregation inhibitors, excluding heparin was 1.5 billion SEK. The greatest cost contributor was in-patient care, a total of 1.2 billion SEK, 74,501 SEK per patient in in-patient care. The total cost for out-patient care was 98 million SEK, 5371 SEK per patient. The total cost for primary care was 92 million SEK, 3223 SEK per patient. The total drug cost was 43 million SEK, 912 SEK per patient.  CONCLUSIONS: For those patients who had at least one health care visit and who were dispensed platelet aggregation inhibitors the drug cost amounted to less than 3% of the total annual cost. In-patient care represented as much as 80% of the total annual costs.