Experts are issuing a stern warning to people who take a common, inexpensive painkiller every day without a doctor’s prescription. Millions of people take aspirin in a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to ward off heart disease and stroke, but experts are warning against the unnecessary and potentially dangerous use.
An analysis of 150 million adults found that there is a widespread misconception that taking a daily aspirin protects against cardiovascular disease, yet NHS instructions and American Heart Association advice strongly discourage the habit unless medically advised.
A recent report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reiterates the need for patient-physician discussions about aspirin use and highlights that the drug may not be as harmless as thought.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic sifted through a mountain of patient data and found that nearly one in three adults over 60 without heart disease were taking aspirin regularly in 2021, many of them without the benefit of a medical professional.
About 25.6 million American adults take aspirin regularly, but in the UK, doctors may recommend it to at-risk patients to prevent cardiovascular disease, and it is sometimes recommended during pregnancy, according to a study. Liverpool Echo.
The NHS summarises its position: “Low doses of aspirin can help prevent heart attack and stroke in people at high risk of having one. Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid.”
“If you’ve had a stroke or heart attack, your doctor may recommend taking a small amount every day to prevent a recurrence. Your doctor may also recommend taking a small amount if you are at high risk of a heart attack, for example if you have had heart surgery or have chest pain (angina) due to heart disease.”
“You may be advised to take low-dose aspirin if you are pregnant, if you are at risk of high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia), if you have an underlying condition for which low-dose aspirin is recommended, or if you have had several miscarriages or complications in previous pregnancies.”
“Take low-dose aspirin daily only if your doctor prescribes it.”
“Some children are treated with low-dose aspirin after heart surgery or to treat a rare condition called Kawasaki disease. Children should only take low-dose aspirin if prescribed by a doctor,” it added.
The NHS says: “Taking low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke is not the same as taking aspirin for pain relief.”
According to the NHS, side effects of aspirin can include indigestion and more frequent bleeding than usual, while more serious side effects can include vomiting blood or bleeding in the toilet, liver damage, joint pain due to uric acid in the blood, swollen hands and feet due to fluid retention, stomach ulcers and allergic reactions.
