Aspirin significantly increases vulnerable patients’ risk of heart failure

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Taking aspirin increases vulnerable patients' risk of heart failure by more than a quarter, according to new research.

It may do more harm than good in those with at least one predisposing factor for the condition.

They include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The painkiller - which is a blood thinner - has for decades been prescribed to stop heart attacks and strokes.

Many middle-aged people take the pills as an 'insurance policy' against heart problems.

Lead author Dr. Blerim Mujaj, of Freiburg University in Germany, said: "This is the first study to report among individuals with a least one risk factor for heart failure, those taking aspirin were more likely to subsequently develop the condition than those not using the medication.

"While the findings require confirmation, they do indicate the potential link between aspirin and heart failure needs to be clarified."

The findings are based on 30,827 European and US "at risk" over-40s in the HOMAGE (Heart OMics in AGEing) study.

They were tracked for more than five years. Those who used aspirin were 26 percent more likely to develop heart failure.

The figure was confirmed by matching aspirin users and non-users for heart failure risk factors.

Calculations included sex, age, BMI (body mass index), smoking and alcohol use.

The international team also took into account blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and the use of other drugs such as diuretics, beta-blockers and statins.

Dr. Mujaj said: "This was the first large study to investigate the relationship between aspirin use and incident heart failure in individuals with and without heart disease and at least one risk factor.

"Aspirin is commonly used. In our study one in four participants were taking the medication.

"In this population, aspirin use was associated with incident heart failure - independent of other risk factors."

The condition - which affects about 6.2 million adults in the United States - occurs when the heart becomes too weak or stiff to effectively pump blood.

Currently, about one in five patients die within a year of diagnosis. Debilitating symptoms include extreme breathlessness and crushing fatigue.

Heart failure accouts for about 1 million hospitalizations each year - and for many the only way out is a heart transplant.

Aspirin use was recorded at enrolment and participants were classified as users or non-users.

They were tracked for the first incidence of fatal or non-fatal heart failure requiring hospitalisation.

Their average age was 67. Around a third were women. At the outset a total of 7,698 (25%) were taking aspirin. During the follow-up, 1,330 developed heart failure.

Dr Mujaj said: "Large multinational randomised trials in adults at risk for heart failure are needed to verify these results.

"Until then, our observations suggest that aspirin should be prescribed with caution in those with heart failure or with risk factors for the condition."

The study is in ESC Heart Failure - a journal of the European Society of Cardiology.

Last month new draft guidance from the US Preventive Services Task Force advised older adults without heart disease not to take a daily 'baby' aspirin.

It said recent evidence showed the risks of side effects far outweigh any potential benefits.

The pills should only be taken daily by patients who have had a heart attack or stroke in the past or by younger adults with no bleeding risks.

Aspirin protects against blood clots - which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

But even low doses can cause bleeding in the digestive tract or ulcers - both of which can be life-threatening.

The British Heart Foundation says for people without cardiovascular disease the risk of side effects outweighs the benefit of preventing blood clots.