Older Adults Should Not Start a Routine of Daily Aspirin

In late April, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published updated recommendations on aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

Daily low-dose aspirin has been recommended for years as a preventive measure, but the Task Force no longer recommends this approach for most healthy people.

People 60 or older should not start a daily aspirin regimen as a preventative measure. “What we found is that compared to older studies, aspirin appears to have less benefit from cardiovascular disease,” Dr. John Wong, a physician at Tufts Medical Center and a member of the task force, told NPR in November. “And there’s an increasing risk of bleeding as people age,” he says.

People ages 40 to 59 who are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) but have not had a heart attack or stroke may have a “small net benefit” when weighing the risks and benefits. The decision should be reviewed with your doctor and depends on your age and cardiovascular risk.

These guidelines do not apply to people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, and they are not directed toward individuals who are currently taking daily aspirin. Although, the recommendations state that patients should consider stopping this practice of daily aspirin by age 75 because of the increased risk of bleeding.

“Aspirin’s benefit has become marginal because we have these other therapies that reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes, but the bleeding risk associated with aspirin therapy has persisted,” said Dr. Salim Virani of Baylor College of Medicine in an interview with NPR.

Dr. Demilade Adedinsewo, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic advises: “This information should just basically make you have a conversation with your physician. This is not an all-blanket recommendation that everyone on aspirin should stop their aspirin.”

Share this story!
Seattle Senior Resource Fair
join with other older adults and more than 100 nonprofit organizations and businesses serving seniors to learn about the resources and services available...
Lanterns for Hope and Peace
On Sunday evening August 6, Seattle's Green Lake will reflect candle-lit lanterns...

Related

Have your cake and eat it too: Great heart health dessert recipes
Try out one of these fabulous dessert or drink recipes, each prepared with your heart health and your taste buds in mind....
Foods that may prevent dementia
If you’re worried about dementia or Alzheimer’s as you grow older, consider padding your diet with these top 5 Alzheimer-fighting foods....
Healthy Ears Help Make for a Healthy Brain
“According to studies, hearing loss is the top preventable risk factor for dementia”...
September is Healthy Aging Month
It's never too soon (or too late) to start...
Laughter Yoga
Laughter Yoga was created back in the 90s by Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from India...
Improving Brain Health through Exercise
A new study is suggesting a fascinating link between regular exercise and better brain health...

BE IN THE KNOW

NWPT-Subscribe

Recent Posts

Seattle Senior Resource Fair
Pick a peck of purple pickled onions
A New Lens on Dementia Care
Sent Across the Nation
Enjoy a Door County Tradition When You Experience a Fish Boil

BE IN THE KNOW

NWPT-Subscribe

Recent Posts

Seattle Senior Resource Fair
Pick a peck of purple pickled onions
A New Lens on Dementia Care
Sent Across the Nation
Enjoy a Door County Tradition When You Experience a Fish Boil