Low doses of the drug are often used as a potential treatment to prevent further episodes of cardiovascular events in patients who have already had heart problems. This approach is known as ‘primary prevention’.
However, findings of the study published in the Drug And Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB), suggest that the drug does not help in preventing the strokes in otherwise healthy people. Rather it doubles the chances of hospitalization with serious internal bleeding.
Routine use of aspirin linked to internal bleeds
A recent analysis of six controlled trials involving 95,000 people suggest that routine use of aspirin in otherwise healthy people can trigger severe gastrointestinal bleeds—- loss of blood in the digestive tract, with no signs of reduced death rates.
The findings also suggest that the doctors should exercise extreme caution while prescribing the drug, especially to those with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Likewise, people should also be careful and not take the drug unless prescribed.
“When you talk about stomach bleeding it can sound trivial but it is a killer if it is severe enough and as deadly as having a heart attack or stroke. The risks should not be dismissed.
“In people who have never had a heart attack or stroke, the evidence does not support them being on this drug," warned health experts.
“We believe that the currently available evidence does not justify the routine use of aspirin … in apparently healthy individuals, including those with elevated blood pressure or diabetes.
"This is because of the potential risk of serious bleeds and (the) lack of effect on mortality," researchers concluded.
Promote heart’s health with healthy lifestyle
Those who want to lower the risk of heart problems should follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, working out for 30 minutes five times a week, avoiding smoke, recommend health experts.
June Davison, senior cardiac
nurse at the British Heart Foundation, UK, said, "We advise people not to take aspirin daily, unless they check with their doctor.
"The best way to reduce your risk of developing this disease is to avoid smoking, eat a diet low in saturated fat and rich in fruit and vegetables and take regular physical activity."
Presently, aspirin is prescribed only to those patients who already have had a heart stroke or diabetics above 50.
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