Posted on Apr 27, 2022
Older adults shouldn't start a routine of daily aspirin, task force says
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/04/26/ [login to see] /older-adults-shouldnt-start-a-routine-of-daily-aspirin-task-force-says
New guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says people over the age of 60 should not start taking daily, low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes.
Low-dose aspirin had been a popular prevention measure, but as more evidence has accumulated its benefit has come into question. On Tuesday the task force finalized new recommendations advising against the practice. The task force concludes that initiating daily aspirin in adults 60 years or older has "no net benefit," and increases a person's risk of internal bleeding.
For adults 40 to 59 years of age, a daily aspirin may have a "small net benefit," according to the task force, which sifted through the most recent studies and weighed the benefits and the risks.
"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.
New guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says people over the age of 60 should not start taking daily, low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes.
Low-dose aspirin had been a popular prevention measure, but as more evidence has accumulated its benefit has come into question. On Tuesday the task force finalized new recommendations advising against the practice. The task force concludes that initiating daily aspirin in adults 60 years or older has "no net benefit," and increases a person's risk of internal bleeding.
For adults 40 to 59 years of age, a daily aspirin may have a "small net benefit," according to the task force, which sifted through the most recent studies and weighed the benefits and the risks.
"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.
Older adults shouldn't start a routine of daily aspirin, task force says
Posted from npr.org
Medical
Health
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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I've talked with my health care team. I will continue with my low dose ASA as a deterrent to blood clots if I have another incident of lone Afib.
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I would say the best course of action is to consult with your physician and follow their advice. For some, it may be beneficial. For others it would be a waste of money and potentially cause other complications.
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I stopped the daily aspirin years ago. Please speak with your doctor. Select patients will still need it.
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