Study Finds Daily Aspirin Use May Not Significantly Lower Risk of Heart Attack
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A new study led by Japanese researchers found that daily aspirin use may not be as beneficial to patients at risk of heart disease as previously believed.
According to the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at 14,000 people age 60 or older with hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol. These patients were split into two groups, with one receiving 100 milligrams of coated aspirin daily. The other group received no daily aspirin.
After five years of research, the study indicated that there was no significant benefit among those participants taking aspirin. Significant bleeding, a possible side-effect of aspirin use, was putting patients at risk, researchers say.
The study does not involve use of aspirin for its already approved indications, including use during a suspected heart attack and use to prevent a second heart attack. All aspirin users should consult with a healthcare provider before altering their regimen.
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