Many Older Adults Take Daily Aspirin Despite Risks

A new study reveals that many older adults take daily aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease, despite potential risks outweighing benefits for many of them.

Key Findings

The research, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed data from over 186,000 adults in the United States. It found that nearly one-third of adults aged 60 or older without cardiovascular disease were using aspirin in 2021, despite recommendations against it due to the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Mohak Gupta, a senior resident physician at Cleveland Clinic and an author of the study, noted that aspirin use in older adults might cause more harm than good by increasing the risk of bleeding. Dr. Valentin Fuster, president of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, expressed concern that many patients were taking aspirin without a clear benefit, often on the advice of their doctors.

Changing Recommendations

For years, doctors recommended low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease. However, in 2019, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology advised against routine aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention in adults over 70. In 2022, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that people 60 or older without cardiovascular problems should not use aspirin to prevent heart disease.

Who Should Take Daily Aspirin?

Aspirin can still be beneficial for certain patients:

• Those who have had a heart attack, stroke, or have been diagnosed with heart disease.
• People aged 40 to 59 at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to factors like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking, and who do not have a history of bleeding.

Consult Your Doctor

Dr. Gupta emphasized that even though aspirin is available over the counter, patients should always consult their doctor before starting the medication to avoid unnecessary risks.

Conclusion

While daily aspirin can help prevent cardiovascular problems in specific high-risk groups, many older adults without a history of such issues may face more harm than benefit. It is crucial to seek medical advice before taking aspirin regularly.

References

• Annals of Internal Medicine
• American Heart Association
• American College of Cardiology
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force