Taking Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke Could Be Dangerous
An American work group has published recommendations concerning the use of aspirin. Taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke could be a very bad idea especially for patients over 60.
Why Taking Aspirin to Prevent a Stroke or Heart Attack Could Be Dangerous?
For people who have had a heart attack or stroke, a daily low-dose aspirin has shown to be beneficial. Doctors prescribe aspirin after strokes or heart attacks because it thins the blood and reduces the risk of another heart attack.
A new study shows that aspirin can be harmful to health and revised guidelines were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
According to the latest research, daily aspirin intake is more dangerous than previously thought. Uncontrolled intake of acetylsalicylic acid is responsible for thousands of deaths every year. Researchers believe that millions of older people who take aspirin simply as a prevention of heart disease should stop doing so. Taking aspirin preventively could be particularly dangerous for people aged 60 and over, especially if they are healthy and haven’t had a heart attack.
The latest studies point to an increased risk of serious hemorrhagic accidents as a result of continuous intake of aspirin. It affects the blood clotting system and can be dangerous if taken without control. If you follow the recommended dosages and doctor’s instructions, there should be no risk. Taking aspirin can lead to serious consequences for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including internal bleeding, which can lead to death.
For 40-59 years old with risk factors, the benefit would be “low” so the decision should be individual but it is not recommended taking aspirin on your own without a doctor’s prescription. People that follow healthy lifestyle, who have been taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke for a long period of time, should not stop the intake abruptly as this may lead to complications.