For every 1,000 patients who took aspirin for five years, there were four fewer major cardiovascular events
The ‘Aspirin‘ does not provide benefits for primary prevention for cardiovascular disease and cancer, because the widespread use of statins and technology assessment cancer may have altered their performance, as shown by a study published in the journal Family Practice.
Almost half of adults over 70 in the United States take ‘Aspirin’ daily even if they have no history of heart disease or stroke. Overall, an estimated 40 percent of American adults use it for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, making it one of the most widely used medications.
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The first investigations showed a reduction in the risk of heart attacks. Later studies also found a decrease in cancer deaths in patients who took ‘Aspirin’ for five or more years, but not a decrease in cardiovascular-related deaths or strokes, and consistently showed a significant risk of serious bleeding complications.
Most of these trials were conducted in Europe and the United States and recruited patients before 2000. Since then, cholesterol-lowering drugs have become widespread, accompanied by better management of hypertension, less tobacco use, and widespread adoption of colorectal cancer screening.
Comparison of both studies on Aspirin
Now, these researchers compared these old studies with four recent large trials. Like previous studies, recent trials found no benefit in mortality and a significant increase in the risk of major bleeding. They also failed to find evidence for the two important benefits of ‘Aspirin’: a reduction in the risk of deaths from cancer and a lower risk of non-fatal heart attacks.
For every 1,000 patients who took aspirin for five years, there were four fewer major cardiovascular events, but seven more major bleeding episodes, and no change in overall cardiovascular mortality.
“With the widespread use of statins and population-wide cancer screening today, it may no longer reduce the overall risk of death from cancer or heart attack when given as primary prevention,” the scientists explain.
“The good news is that the incidence of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer is decreasing due to better control of risk factors and screening, but that also appears to reduce the potential benefit of ‘Aspirin'”, they conclude in their scientific article.
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Per 1200 persons taking aspirin for primary prevention for 5 years, there will be 4 fewer MACEs, 3 fewer ischaemic strokes, 3 more intracranial haemorrhages and 8 more major bleeding events. Aspirin should no longer be recommended for primary prevention.
they concluded.
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