For the past several years, many people in their 50s-70s have been taking low-dose aspirin as part of their daily regimen.
According to Dr. Steven Nissen, chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, daily aspirin intake for a healthy 40-year-old may do “more harm than good.”
He further added that “aspirin is not a completely benign or innocent therapy.”
The US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated its recommendations on daily aspirin intake. Based on recent clinical trials, the task force stated that a routine aspirin regimen is not advised, since it may lead to brain or stomach bleeding. The updated recommendation is for people who are currently not yet taking aspirin daily.
Aspirin, an over-the-counter drug, works by inhibiting certain enzymes in the body, thus stopping inflammation, and reduces pain, fever and swelling. In addition, it helps prevent the blood from clotting.
With one in four deaths, heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death in the U.S. Each year, approximately 605,000 people experience their first heart attack and 610,000 experience their first stroke.
Dr. Michael Barry, Vice Chair of the USPSTF and Medicine Professor at the Massachusetts General Hospital, stated that the risk associated with aspirin “cancels out the benefits” with the 60 and above age group.
The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer group of medical experts who provide fact-based recommendations on preventive services, including clinical screenings, counseling and medication. To prevent cardiovascular disease and colon cancer, in 2016 they recommended aspirin for people in their 50s. While the task force updated its recommendation for those in the 60 and above age group, it has maintained its statement on aspirin use for those who are 40 to 59 years old. Dr. John Wong, task force member and Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, stated that people from this age group with no history of cardiovascular disease may benefit from this upon consultation with a healthcare professional.
Taking precautions for your health is indeed important, but one must always remember to seek medical advice first to ensure that the practice is safe and right for you. Dr. Roy Buchinsky, Director of Wellness at University Hospitals in Ohio, suggests that a good diet, at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, the right amount of sleep, not smoking, and drinking in moderation are a few steps to maintaining a healthy heart.
