The hidden aspirin epidemic?
Harvard researchers are advising millions of people who take aspirin every day to prevent heart attacks to stop their daily use.
Some 29 million people 40 and older were taking an aspirin a day in 2017 despite not having a heart disease. The study also found that about 6.6 million of them were using aspirin on their own even though a doctor never recommended it to them. And nearly 10 million people over 70 who don’t have heart disease were taking daily aspirin for prevention.
The discovery comes after multiple, extensive studies last year found that only a marginal benefit, if any, could be found when taking routine aspirin – especially among older adults.
Studies also found that taking low-dose aspirin is associated with an increased risk for bleeding within the skull for people without heart disease and a can cause tinnitus.
Would you consider daily aspirin use by millions of people without any medical justification and at a risk to themselves problematic substance use?
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/r.../07/190722182126.htm
Nope. There simply needs to be a more complete cultural shift via public education about the risks. Everyone knows (rightly) to be suspicious of new news, and I think that is what is going on with ASA.
Thanks for your comment. What is ASA?
sorry--acetesalicylic acid = aspirin.
I have not used ASA in individuals without known heart disease, including diabetics and hypertensives.
Even recently I have received pharmacy calls asking why my patient is not on ASA. The evidence hasnt gotten thru to everyone.
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Interesting finding. I knew about risk of GI bleeding but tinnitus caused by aspirin is pretty cool. ASA has limited role in primary prevention, risks outweigh benefits. In my practice I do more stopping aspirin than recommending.
It seemed such an inexpensive and easy way to prevent heart attacks that the news spread quite quickly. There is no "high" or pleasure in taking aspirin so in my books it's no substance misuse either. Also, no withdrawal symptoms.
It takes 20 years for research evidence to spread. And there isn't much media coverage. Except for the ad that tells the audience that if they experience symptoms of stroke they should call 911 and chew two 81 mgs aspirin - and to carry those on you always. Question: what's the evidence that this works?
There were news stories and a few patients have asked about it. I believe a lot of people do take it without our being aware. I need to be more diligent because, even when I’ve seen it on a med list with older patients with CVD risks, I haven’t automatically thought to address it. Old habits do die hard but you can teach old dogs new tricks!