Daily aspirin debate
October 31, 2013
In a recent study published in
Health Technology Assessment,
the risks and benefits of daily
aspirin were assessed, showing
that healthy people without risk of
cardiovascular events should not
take aspirin daily.
For those with known risks, the
evidence is still in favour of the
prophylaxis.
Out of 2572 potentially relevant
papers identified, 27 met the
inclusion criteria and included
primary sources, reviews and metaanalyses.
The research was funded by the
US National Institute for Health
Research Health Technology
Assessment programme.
Benefits of aspirin ranged from
6% reduction in relative risk (RR)
for all-cause mortality and 10%
reduction in major cardiovascular
events to a reduction in total
coronary heart disease of 15%.
Increased RR from bleeds range
from 37% for GI bleeding, to 62%
for major bleeds and 32% to 38%
for haemorrhagic stroke.
The study’s authors concluded
that “there is a fine balance
between benefits and risks from
regular aspirin use in primary
prevention of CVD.”
CLICK HERE to access the paper.
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