In fact, research shows that taking daily aspirin can come with some serious risks.
Why Do So Many Older Adults Take Daily Aspirin If They Dont Need It?
The latest poll about aspirin use and beliefs about the drug surveyed 2,657 older adults in the United States.
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The results showed that 43% of the participants had experienced at least one condition related to cardiovascular disease.
For those adults, aspirin is being used to prevent a second eventwhat we call secondary prevention.
Secondary prevention is focused on the early detection or treatment of a disease.
Primary prevention is measures taken to prevent a disease from occurring for the first time.
Who Actually Needs to Take Aspirin?
Why Is Taking Daily Aspirin Risky?
That info helps providers make decisions about care, including treatments that couldinteractwith an OTC drug like aspirin.
What This Means For You
Aspirin can be beneficial but also comes with serious risks.
If youre not sure if you should be taking aspirin every day, ask your provider.
You should always tell your provider about any medications you take, even OTC ones like aspirin.
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.Aspirin use among older adults.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease: preventive medication.
2023;6(7):e2325803.
2023;176(7):913-921. doi:10.7326/M23-0675
