A new study touts the benefits of taking a small daily dose of aspirin to ward off heart attacks and strokes. ABC News reported tonight on the finding of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that will soon be published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. You can read a synopsis here.
According to the panel, men should begin at age 45 and women at 55. Both are recommended to take an 81-milligram "baby-aspirin" dose. There is no evidence that larger doses work better. The regimen appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by over 20%, probably by reducing the incidence of artery-blocking blood clots.
Dr. Randal Thomas, director of cardiovascular health at the Mayo Clinic, agrees with the findings and adds, "more people take statin drugs, cholesterol-blocking drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, than take aspirin. Aspirin costs far less and may do as much or more to protect one's health." Despite two decades of publicity about aspirin's helpful effects, another study found only 16.6% of people in the effective age group were taking aspirin.
The Task Force recommended people of both age groups stop aspirin treatment by age 80 unless their doctor advises otherwise. That's because at that point the possible risks of bleeding in the stomach or brain become more pronounced. It is considered "a risk that is small, but can be fatal in some cases."
Dr. Thomas remarks, "People may ask themselves, 'Am I at risk for heart attack or a stroke.' If you're above age 45 and male, if you're above age 55 and female, the answer is most likely yes, and you will most likely benefit from taking a small dose of aspirin a day."
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