Nearly half of American adults still mistakenly believe that the benefits of daily low-dose aspirin outweigh the risks, despite updated guidelines advising against it for most individuals. This misconception persists even with the acknowledged increased risk of bleeding associated with regular aspirin use.
A recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that 48% of respondents incorrectly believe daily low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke more than it increases the risk of bleeding. Surprisingly, nearly 20% of adults with no personal or family history of heart attack or stroke reported routinely taking low-dose aspirin, with 10% taking it daily. An additional 6% reported taking it a few times a month, and 2% a few times a week.
The survey also highlighted a generational divide in beliefs about aspirin. Older age groups were more likely to believe the benefits outweighed the risks. 57% of respondents over 60 and 51% of those between 40 and 59 held this belief, compared to only 24% of adults aged 18 to 39.
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Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the APPC, emphasized the difficulty in changing ingrained habits based on outdated medical advice. She stressed the importance of understanding the current recommendations regarding daily aspirin use.
Previously, doctors often recommended daily low-dose aspirin due to its blood-thinning properties, which can prevent clot formation in arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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However, recent studies have demonstrated that daily low-dose aspirin can significantly increase the risk of bleeding in some older adults, particularly in the stomach, intestines, and brain. These bleeding risks can be life-threatening, potentially outweighing the benefits of preventing cardiovascular disease.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revised its recommendations in 2022, stating that daily aspirin should only be considered for individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular disease who have no history of the condition and are not already taking aspirin. This revision aligns with similar recommendations made by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology in 2019, advising against daily aspirin use for individuals 70 and older due to the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Dr. Chien-Wen Tseng, a member of the panel that made the 2019 recommendation, emphasized that aspirin should only be used for individuals with an increased risk of heart disease, not solely based on age. This underscores the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional to determine if daily aspirin therapy is appropriate for individual circumstances.
Heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for approximately one-third of all deaths. While preventing these conditions is crucial, daily aspirin use is no longer considered a universally beneficial preventative measure.
