Study: Seniors shouldn’t take aspirin to prevent heart disease

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Over 60s should not take aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease, according to new research.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says the risk of internal bleeding far outweigh any potential benefits for senior citizens.

Updating recommendations, it advises daily low-dose or baby pills only for patients who have had a heart attack or stroke in the past.

Younger adults with at least a ten percent greater risk of developing the world's number one killer should make their own choice.

Evidence indicates the net benefit of taking the over the counter painkiller is small, say the team.

Corresponding author Dr. Karina Davidson, of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical
Research said: "The risk for gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and hemorrhagic stroke, with or without aspirin use, increases with older age.

"Other risk factors include male sex, diabetes, history of gastrointestinal issues, liver disease, smoking, and elevated blood pressure.

"Certain medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and anticoagulants, increase the risk of bleeding.

"These risk factors should be considered in the overall decision about whether to start or continue aspirin therapy."

Aspirin is best known as a pain reliever, but it is also a blood thinner that can reduce the odds of blood clots.

But aspirin also has risks, even at low doses - mainly bleeding in the digestive tract or ulcers, both of which can be life-threatening

Doctors have long recommended daily low-dose aspirin for many patients who already have had a heart attack or stroke.

The task force guidance changes recommendations for those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or other conditions who have not had a heart attack or stroke but are at an increased risk.

The findings are in line with more recent guidelines from other medical groups. They are based on a systematic review.

The USPSTF considered 13 randomized clinical trials involving 161,680 participants that reported on aspirin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Most used low-dose aspirin of 100 mg every other day and included a balanced number of male and female participants and a broad distribution of ages, ranging from 53 to 74.

In addition, the USPSTF commissioned a modeling study to assess the net balance of benefits and harms stratified by age, sex and risk level.

Dr. Davidson said: "The decision to initiate low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD in adults aged 40 to 59 years who have a 10% or greater 10-year risk should be an individual one.

"Evidence indicates that the net benefit of aspirin use in this group is small. Persons who are not at increased risk for bleeding and are willing to take low-dose aspirin daily are more likely to benefit.

"The USPSTF recommends against initiating low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD in adults 60 years or older."

The USPSTF has also concluded it is unclear whether aspirin use reduces bowel cancer incidence or deaths.

It routinely makes recommendations about the effectiveness of preventive care services.

The findings in JAMA replace the 2016 USPSTF recommendation on aspirin use to prevent CVD and colorectal cancer.