In US, advice shifts on daily aspirin use for preventing heart attacks
- Aspirin use to prevent first heart attacks not recommended for most older adults, US expert panel says
- Statement a major reversal in the US medical field, where taking aspirin daily is a widespread practice
US government expert panel said it no longer recommends a daily dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people aged 60 and over.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said it plans to update its 2016 recommendation as there is new evidence that the risk of potentially life-threatening internal bleeding from regular aspirin use increases with age.
The statement was a major reversal in the US medical field. Aspirin, used for decades for pain and fever and available without a prescription, was seen as a convenient and cheap option to help those at risk of serious heart problems.
The task force, a panel of 16 independent experts in disease prevention appointed by the US Department of Health and Human Services, also said evidence was insufficient to say that low-dose aspirin use reduces the occurrence or death due to colorectal cancer.
The recommendation, if finalised, would replace an earlier one from the panel, which in 2016 said daily low-dose aspirin may also help protect against colorectal cancer in people who are taking it to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The new recommendation does not include people who have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke and taking daily aspirin to prevent a subsequent cardiovascular event. The panel said they should continue the regimen unless told otherwise by their doctor.