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Aspirin For Prevention: What The Research Really Shows

Aspirin For Prevention: What The Research Really Shows Aspirin For Prevention: What The Research Really Shows

By: Anna Camille Moreno, DO NCMP • Jessica Erickson, MD • Posted on October 16, 2018

Aspirin to Prevent Stroke: Evidence From The Past

Physicians have been prescribing low-dose aspirin for the past 15 years for women over the age of 45, particularly over the age of 65, based on a landmark study from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This study, called the Women’s Health Study, involved 39,000 women and showed a stunning reduction in the risk of stroke by 17%, especially in women over the age of 65. This significant study lead to the guidelines for the use of aspirin in women to prevent stroke.

The Controversy Around Aspirin

This topic has been very controversial for physicians who have had to weigh the risks and benefits of aspirin due to its known risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding is when bleeding occurs in body parts, including the:

  • esophagus
  • stomach
  • colon
  • rectum
  • anus

Also, some people are allergic to aspirin or have worsening asthma. Aspirin is a NSAID that can also affect kidney function.

Aspirin Benefits

The benefits of aspirin are for people with cardiovascular risk factors:

      • high blood pressure
      • high cholesterol
      • diabetes
      • smoking

      When the benefits of cardiovascular disease prevention outweigh the risks of a bleed, this medication is usually encouraged.

      The Latest Aspirin Study

      A new study was published this month that has the general public questioning if they should be on aspirin. There have been a lot of controversial headlines in the news that suggest that the evidence has changed regarding the benefits of aspirin for prevention in a population of older adults.

      The major findings

      This study was conducted in men and women over the age of 70 (over age 65 for Blacks and Hispanics) in both the United States and Australia. The most significant finding of the study was that there may be no benefit to starting aspirin in men and women over the age of 70, as it did NOT show improved “disability-free survival.” This means that aspirin may not help you to live longer without disability if you had NOT been previously started on treatment.

      There was also a reported small increase in mortality, particularly cancer-related mortality, in patients taking aspirin. However, the increase in mortality was only seen in the Australian population. This speaks to the fact that the study results may not be generalized to all populations and countries. This means that without further randomized controlled trials we don’t know if the increase in mortality is a definitive finding.

      Keep in mind

      • The study is aimed at determining the risks and benefits of starting aspirin in patients, men or women, for prevention of cardiovascular disease over age 70. It does not speak to patients who are already taking aspirin.
      • Importantly, the study does NOT apply to those who are taking aspirin for treatment of cardiovascular disease or at high risk (prior history of heart attack or stroke). This means that if you’ve been on aspirin for treatment of heart disease, this study should not inform decision-making on whether or not you should be taking aspirin.
      • Previous studies have suggested a possible cancer survival benefit to aspirin that can be seen in longer-term studies when aspirin had been used for at least 5 years.

      What Should You Do?

      1. Talk to your physician.
      2. There is no reason to necessarily stop aspirin if you’re already on it and doing well.
      3. If you have a history of coronary artery disease or stroke barring side effects, it is important to keep taking aspirin under the advisement of your doctor.

      Be Strong. Be Healthy. Be in Charge!

      -Anna Camille Moreno, DO NCMP and Jessica Erickson, MD

      Jessica Erickson is an Internal Medicine resident at the Cleveland Clinic. She attended medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. She has contributed to several published research papers in clinical medicine and quality and safety research.

      Dr. Moreno is an assistant professor and medical director of the Midlife Women's Health program at University of Utah OBGYN. Her focused training includes midlife care involving perimenopause, menopause, hormone therapy, bone health (osteoporosis management and treatment), sexual dysfunction, vulvar disorders, and genital chronic graft versus host disease. She is also a medical consultant and a freelance medical writer for GoodRx, Inc. Dr. Moreno is a graduate of the Specialized Women's Health Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic.

      aspirin, women's health, older adults, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer

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