You may have heard that taking a low-dose aspirin daily can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. But unless your doctor has told you to take aspirin, recent news may have you reconsidering it, because for many people, the risks outweigh the benefits.
Older Americans continue to take aspirin despite growing evidence casting doubt on its efficacy for people with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.
But what is the approach in the UK? If you’ve never had heart problems, are you advised to take a low-dose aspirin every day?
For many years, aspirin has been thought of as an easy, inexpensive way to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The idea is simple: Aspirin thins the blood, helping to prevent the formation of clots that can block arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes. But recent studies have raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of this strategy, especially for people with no history of heart disease.
In the UK, guidelines have been developed that reflect this new understanding: the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which advises the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales, recommends against the routine use of low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease in people who have never had a heart attack or other heart problems because the bleeding risks are too great.
The UK changed its advice on aspirin in 2009
The NIS changed its guidelines on the use of aspirin to prevent the early symptoms of heart attack and stroke in 2009. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which issues the guidelines in the United States, finally updated its recommendations on aspirin in 2022.
The change in advice comes from comprehensive research. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that in healthy older people, aspirin did not significantly reduce the incidence of heart attacks or strokes. It did, however, increase the risk of life-threatening bleeding. Another large study published in the Lancet confirmed these findings and highlighted the delicate balance between benefits and harms.
But the chances of someone who’s already had a heart attack or stroke having another are high enough to justify the risks generally associated with aspirin. This is called “secondary prevention,” and Nice still recommends its use in these cases. But even here, there’s evidence that more care is needed, and in 2017 a British study reported that people aged 75 and over who took aspirin for secondary prevention experienced bleeding more frequently.
Aspirin has been a cornerstone of heart disease prevention for decades, but it is constantly being reevaluated and adapted as new information emerges. It is up to health authorities to change their guidelines in response to new data, and patients and doctors must follow these.
We now know that for some people, the risks associated with taking a low-dose aspirin daily may outweigh the potential benefits. If you are taking or are considering taking a low-dose aspirin daily, talk to your doctor.
Always consult your doctor before starting or stopping any medication. Your doctor can help you understand your risk factors for heart disease and determine the best strategies for prevention.
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels remain important in preventing heart disease.
/Courtesy of The Conversation. This material by the originating organization/author may be out of date and has been edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take any organizational stance or position, and all views, positions and conclusions expressed here are solely those of the authors.