8991
0
Posted on Sep 02, 2009, 3 p.m.
Many people without any diagnosed risk for heart problems take low-dose aspirin in the hope that it will help prevent heart attacks and strokes. A trial lead by the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis has found there is no preventive aspect in such routine use for healthy individuals.
Many people without any diagnosed risk for heart problems take low-dose aspirin in the hope that it will help prevent heart attacks and strokes. A trial lead by the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis has found there is no preventive aspect in such routine use for healthy individuals.
"The findings of this study agree with our current advice that people who do not have symptomatic or diagnosed artery or heart disease should not take aspirin, because the risks of bleeding may outwiegh the benefits," states Professor Peter Weissberg, of the British Heart Foundation which part-funded the latest research.
There is strong existing evidence which supports the use of low-dose aspirin to help prevent vascular problems in appropriate patients - those identified by their doctors to be at special risk due to factors such as familial history, stress and lifestyle.
News source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8230048.stm
