Aspirin Myth Busted: It Does Not Prevent Cardiovascular Disease Deaths At All

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Aspirin Myth Busted: It Does Not Prevent Cardiovascular Disease Deaths At

All

Tuesday, May 04, 2010 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer

_http://www.naturalnews.com/028710_aspirin_heart_disease.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/028710_aspirin_heart_disease.html)

 

 

(NaturalNews) Aspirin is unhelpful in preventing heart-related death in

those " at risk " of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in

the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB).

 

 

Doctors have long recommended that people who have survived heart attacks

or strokes take an aspirin a day in order to reduce their risk of dying

from another cardiovascular event. Between 2005 and 2006, however, many health

professionals began to recommend the practice in people who had never

suffered a cardiovascular event, but who were considered " at risk " to do so -

such as those over the age of 50, those with Type 2 diabetes or those with

high blood pressure.

 

 

" Current evidence for primary prevention suggests the benefits and harms

of aspirin in this setting may be more finely balanced than previously

thought, " said DTB editor Ike Ikeanacho, " even in individuals estimated to be

at

high risk of experiencing cardiovascular events, including those with

diabetes or elevated blood pressure. "

 

 

A recent meta-analysis of six prior studies into the risks and benefits of

a daily aspirin in people considered " at risk " of cardiovascular disease

found that heart benefits of the treatment were minimal, and were far

outweighed by the increased risk of potentially fatal gastrointestinal

bleeding.

 

 

" For those who do not have heart and circulatory disease the risk of

serious bleeding outweighs the potential preventative benefits of taking

aspirin, " agreed the British Heart Foundation. " We advise people not to take

aspirin daily, unless they check with their doctor. The best way to reduce your

risk of developing this disease is to avoid smoking, eat a diet low in

saturated fat and rich in fruit and vegetables and take regular physical

activity. "

 

 

The DTB called for the revision of guidelines on daily aspirin use, and

for a review of all patients currently undergoing daily aspirin treatment.

 

 

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.