New guidelines against most people against low-dose daily aspirin

Cardiologists have delivered startling news over the weekend: Contrary to previous recommendations, most healthy people should not take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease, according to a report from the University of Toronto. 39; American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

The report offers the usual advice to people wishing to avoid heart disease: adopt a balanced diet consisting mainly of plants, exercise, do not smoke, etc. But the new recommendation against daily aspirin follows a study done in 2018 that the benefits of aspirin do not seem to outperform its risks.

"Low dose aspirin for primary prevention [is] now reserved for a selection of high-risk patients, "according to the guidelines.

The 2018 ASPREE study recruited nearly 20,000 people, mostly over the age of 70, from the United States and Australia, hoping to study the effects of long-term use of low-dose aspirin . Previously, doctors had recommended a daily dose of 75 mg to 100 mg to prevent heart disease. However, research revealed that people taking low-dose aspirin were just as likely to die during the study period as those taking a placebo. Research also revealed that people taking aspirin were more likely to have a major bleeding episode.

This study does not indicate whether or not aspirin prevents heart disease. Rather, it shows that its risks could nullify its benefits. The American College of Cardiology is currently recommending doctors to only recommend aspirin to those who are at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease and the least risk of bleeding, according to a statement. For all others, doctors should continue to recommend things we do not want to hear: do not smoke, eat more vegetables and less processed foods, and exercise regularly.

Health recommendations are ultimately based on the most up-to-date knowledge, which means that new findings from long-term studies could negate the recommendations we once accepted as fact, such as saying that eating a lot of 'eggs was bad, then good, still bad. One thing is certain: death comes for all of us in the end.