Medical Minute: Doctors Reevaluate Daily Aspirin For Heart Disease Prevention, Citing Increased Bleeding Risks

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and for years, doctors recommended that older adults take a daily aspirin as a preventive measure. But doctors now say it may be doing more harm than good.

Aspirin has been used to prevent heart attacks for years, but its blood-thinning properties, which prevent blood clots from forming, may also increase the risk of major bleeding.

Two large trials, the ARRIVE trial and the ASPREE trial, found aspirin did not decrease the risk of a second heart attack or stroke in patients who already had one, and deaths linked to aspirin use were recorded in the ASPREE trial.

Experts say the risks of daily aspirin use may outweigh the benefits for older adults with no known heart issues.

Despite doctors not recommending daily aspirin for adults over 60 without known heart issues, about a third of adults 60 and older—more than 18 million people—take it anyway.

The Mayo Clinic says adults between 40 and 59 with a high risk for a first-time heart attack or stroke within 10 years may still benefit from daily aspirin.

Experts advise patients currently taking aspirin to consult their doctor before stopping, as sudden discontinuation may lead to blood clots and increase the risk of a heart attack.