Taking aspirin may not be necessary, study reveals

NEW YORK (HealthDay News).—Many older adults regularly take low-dose aspirin hoping for prevent heart attacks y strokes, although updated guidelines often advise against it.

About one in four older adults takes aspirin at least three times a week, according to the results of the study. University of Michigan National Survey on Healthy Aging.

But many older adults who take low-dose aspirin may not need to do so, the researchers said.

Cases tthree out of every five (57%) people aged 50 to 80 what they take aspirin They regularly have no history of heart disease, survey results show.

Such people should talk to a doctor before starting or stopping aspirin, because current guidelines mostly call for daily aspirin for people who already have heart disease or have survived a stroke or heart attackthe experts noted.

“Aspirin is no longer a one-size-fits-all preventative tool for older adults, as it has been promoted for decades,” said Jordan Schaefer, a hematologist at the University of Michigan Medical School.

“This survey shows that we have a long way to go to ensure that aspirin use is consistent with current knowledge.”

Aspirin Use in the United States

The guidelines in the United States for aspirin use have evolved in recent years because the over-the-counter medication can increase a person’s risk of dangerous bleeding.

Experts now weigh the risk of bleeding against the benefits of prevent blood clots which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Because of this, the guidelines now focus primarily on people who have heart health problems or who are at high risk due to their personal or family health history, experts said.

He United States Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against initiating aspirin use for heart disease prevention in adults age 60 and older.

Meanwhile, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) say daily low-dose aspirin could be considered for heart disease prevention in select adults over 40 to 70 years old who have a higher risk of heart problems, but not bleeding.

The AHA and the ACC offer online calculations to help doctors determine a person’s 10-year risk of heart disease.

Overall, the survey found that 42% of all adults ages 75 to 80 take aspirin.

About 31 percent of all adults ages 50 to 80 who take aspirin do not appear to know about the bleeding risk associated with it, survey results show. In total, 71% of older adults started taking aspirin four or more years ago, which could mean they are taking the pills based on outdated advice.

Around 96% of those who They take aspirin and have a history of heart problems said their health care provider had recommended it.

However, 77% of those who take aspirin and have no history of heart problems or risks said the same, suggesting the need for a discussion about updated guidelines.

Additionally, among those who take aspirin but have no history of heart disease, 20 percent said they started doing so on their own, and 5 percent said their friends and family had advised them.

They participated in the survey 2,657 adults ages 50 to 80 surveyed online and by phone in July and August 2023, the researchers said.

“With updated knowledge and reductions in other important risk factors, such as smoking, we can use aspirin more accurately, targeting those who most need this cheap and easily available preventive medication, and avoiding unnecessary risks to others.” said the director of the survey, Dr. Jeffrey Kullgrenassociate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.

“These survey findings should stimulate more conversations between health care providers and patients about what is right for them,” Kullgren added.