If your one of the millions of people popping this pill you should stop now
My Grandfather, My Father and My Uncle for years would wake up enjoy their morning cup of coffee and take their daily aspirin in hopes of not having a heart attack, and now After decades of primary care physicians advising patients to take daily aspirin for heart health, experts at Harvard are disputing the practice. Do you take aspirin every day?
well new guidelines, released by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, suggest a daily low-dose aspirin for people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, or who have been diagnosed with heart disease — but not for those who are otherwise healthy.
The study also finds that nearly half of all Americans over 70 — that’s about 10 million people — were taking a daily aspirin in hopes of staving off a heart disease diagnosis.
Pain relievers like aspirin have anti-coagulating effects — they’re also called blood thinners — which physicians assume would help prevent vascular clots from forming. However, three extensive studies published in 2018 challenged that theory — finding daily aspirin did little, if anything, toward preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Some other key takeaways from the new guidelines:
- Adults over 70 without heart disease, along with younger people who have an increased risk of bleeding, should avoid regular aspirin.
- Those from 40 to 70 years old should wait for doctor’s orders before taking up daily aspirin, even if they are believed to be at high risk for heart disease.
- The best way to prevent vascular disease and heart failure is by keeping a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing exercise and a diet high in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and other whole foods.