Bitter Pill: Why Aspirin is not a Miracle Medicine | Life and style

ASpirin has long been thought to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, and some studies have shown that it has a protective effect against certain cancers. As a result, some people religiously apply a low-dose aspirin every day after breakfast (never take one on an empty stomach). But now, its miracle drug status has declined somewhat, following a thorough review of the trial's evidence.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has just published a meta-badysis (a summary of the results of a large number of tests that may lead to more definite conclusions) on the badociation between the Use of aspirin and cardiovascular and hemorrhagic events. It has been established that the well-known risk that aspirin can cause internal bleeding is as important, and sometimes even greater, than the benefits of preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Aspirin fluidifies the blood, thus helping to prevent blood clots, and is undoubtedly a very good medicine to protect people who have already had a heart attack or stroke. However, the approximately 1,000 individuals participating in these trials had no history of cardiovascular disease. They were monitored for about a year, during which time they took an aspirin or placebo daily. brain or intestine. (The researchers found no effect on cancer.)

Dr. Sean Zheng, a university clinical researcher in cardiology at King's College London, said that taking a daily aspirin could not be recommended for healthy people, but that people with a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, including those with type 2 diabetes. However, it would be important to take into account the risk of bleeding.

"The use of aspirin requires a discussion between the patient and his doctor, knowing that potential potential cardiovascular benefits are weighed against the actual risk of serious bleeding," he said.

The results reflect the average probability of bleeding or heart attack in patients in all trials. Among them, there will be people who would be better at taking aspirin and those who will be worse. We are not all the same. This is another situation in which we need to badess our individual risks and benefits – perhaps with the help of an understanding GP.