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Many doctors have advocated a low-dose daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks. But a new study suggests that it could do more harm than good.
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For people without heart disease, a new study has shown that taking low-dose aspirin was associated with an increased risk of bleeding into the skull.

According to the study published Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology, patients with a low body mass index or Asian origin are exposed to the highest risk.

The report follows the American Heart Association's recommendation that adults over the age of 70 should not take low-dose aspirin to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The March guidelines followed a clinical trial concluding that low daily doses of the drug could be associated with major bleeding and would not prolong the lives of healthy older adults.

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The researchers studied 13 clinical trials out of a total of about 134,000 patients with no history of stroke or heart disease. Those taking a placebo had a 0.46% risk of bleeding at the head during all combined tests. Those taking low-dose aspirin were at a 0.63% risk, which means that 2 out of every 1,000 people suffer from intracerebral hemorrhage.

Death and functional dependence are linked to bleeding in the skull, researchers said.

According to the American Heart Association, doctors sometimes always prescribe a low daily dose of aspirin to prevent another, in those who have suffered a stroke or heart attack. It is considered that a low dose of aspirin is between 75 and 100 milligrams.

Doctors can also administer aspirin to patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease and low risk of bleeding as a preventative measure, said cardiologist Roger Blumenthal in a statement.

Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, lack of tobacco and a diet rich in vegetables and low in sugar and trans fatty acids can also prevent cardiovascular disease, according to the report. cardiac association.

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