An aspirin a day doesn't always keep the doctor away
5 June 2009
Talk to your doctor about alternative ways to reduce your cardiovascular risk before taking aspirin 
Dr Virginia Warren, Assistant Medical Director at Bupa
The potential benefits of taking aspirin every day to prevent heart attacks or strokes may not outweigh the risks, according to a study published recently in the Lancet.
The study was a meta-analysis carried out by the Antithrombotic Trialists (ATT) Collaboration at Oxford University. A meta-analysis combines the results of a number of studies, which have looked at the same subject, in order to get a better conclusion.
The meta-analysis included data on the number of heart attacks, strokes and major gastrointestinal bleeds taken from 24 randomised trials comparing the long-term use of aspirin with a placebo ('dummy') treatment. The ATT split the data into two groups: those who had already had a heart attack or stroke and those who hadn't had either.
The researchers found that for people who had not had a heart attack or stroke in the past, the benefits of taking aspirin to prevent these problems didn't outweigh the risks of taking it long-term. The data showed that although taking aspirin caused a slight reduction in the number of people developing heart problems, there was an increase in the number of people who had a major gastrointestinal bleed. Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the serious side-effects of taking aspirin long-term.
However, the researchers found that taking aspirin had some benefit for people who had already had a heart attack or stroke. These results support previous research and the current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The guidelines state that aspirin and other anti-platelet drugs can be taken for up to two years after a heart attack or stroke. However, aspirin taken for this reason should only be prescribed by your doctor.
The ATT are continuing to do more research into the subject, including recruiting people who have diabetes into two different studies. They conclude that as yet, taking aspirin before you have any heart problems is of "uncertain net value".
Dr Virginia Warren, Assistant Medical Director at Bupa told the health information team: "If you haven't had a heart attack or stroke, and are thinking of taking aspirin, don't take anymore than a low dose of 75mg per day. Talk to your doctor about alternative ways to reduce your cardiovascular risk before taking aspirin."
To keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart problems, you should stop smoking, lose excess weight, take regular exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet, low in fat and high in fibre.
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Related information
- Heart attack - health factsheet
- Looking after your heart - health factsheet
- Stroke - health factsheet
- Healthy eating - health factsheet
- Physical exercise - health factsheet
- Stopping smoking - health factsheet
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