New study questions
benefits
of aspirin for people over 70
Newswise — The benefits of giving
low dose aspirin to healthy people from the age of 70 to prevent
heart disease are offset by increased cases of serious bleeding,
argue researchers in a study published online by the BMJ this
week.
Using a model, the team simulated
the broad implications of routine use of aspirin in a population of
20,000 men and women aged 70-74 with no cardiovascular disease.
The model suggests that any
benefits gained from the use of low dose aspirin (prevention of
heart attacks) may be offset by increased cases of serious bleeding.
The figures also indicate that the
overall balance of harm and benefit could tip either way. Therefore,
the temptation to blindly implement low dose aspirin for prevention
of heart disease in elderly people must be resisted, say the
authors.
These findings reinforce the need
for a clinical trial to establish the true benefit or harm of
aspirin in elderly people, and underscore the importance of
targeting preventive treatment to those who are likely to benefit
most, they conclude.
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