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13/04/2005
New research highlights possible health benefits of aspirin for over-50s
People aged over 50 could benefit from taking a dose of aspirin every day, new research has claimed.
The research, conducted by the College of Medicine at Cardiff University, has suggests that one in four heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if those aged fifty and over took aspirin every day.
A 25-year-study of 2,500 men in Wales, which will be published in the British Medical Journal, found that the risk of heart attacks in middle-aged people was high enough to suggest that this age group would benefit from daily doses of aspirin.
The Cardiff University researchers, led by Professor Peter Elwood, found that as many as 80% of men pass this risk threshold around the age of 50.
Speaking at an Aspirin Foundation conference at the Royal College of Physicians in London, Professor Elwood said that “tens of thousands” of lives could be saved and stressed that daily doses of aspirin were cheap – costing as little as 1p per day.
However, Professor Elwood also admitted that there were possible side effects, including stomach bleeding, which affected around two or three patients in every 1,000.
Aspirin is already prescribed by doctors for patients who have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said that it was looking forward to seeing the published results of the study, but warned people to be aware of the risks of taking aspirin regularly.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the BHF said: “Taking a daily dose of aspirin – already routinely prescribed for people who have had a heart attack – is likely to be beneficial for many people over the age of 50. The risks and the costs are low and the potential benefit is significant. It is important, however, that people are aware of the risks before making the choice to take aspirin long-term. The drug can occasionally cause bleeding problems or an allergic reaction, so people should always check with their GP before beginning such a regime.”
(KMcA/GB)
The research, conducted by the College of Medicine at Cardiff University, has suggests that one in four heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if those aged fifty and over took aspirin every day.
A 25-year-study of 2,500 men in Wales, which will be published in the British Medical Journal, found that the risk of heart attacks in middle-aged people was high enough to suggest that this age group would benefit from daily doses of aspirin.
The Cardiff University researchers, led by Professor Peter Elwood, found that as many as 80% of men pass this risk threshold around the age of 50.
Speaking at an Aspirin Foundation conference at the Royal College of Physicians in London, Professor Elwood said that “tens of thousands” of lives could be saved and stressed that daily doses of aspirin were cheap – costing as little as 1p per day.
However, Professor Elwood also admitted that there were possible side effects, including stomach bleeding, which affected around two or three patients in every 1,000.
Aspirin is already prescribed by doctors for patients who have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said that it was looking forward to seeing the published results of the study, but warned people to be aware of the risks of taking aspirin regularly.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director of the BHF said: “Taking a daily dose of aspirin – already routinely prescribed for people who have had a heart attack – is likely to be beneficial for many people over the age of 50. The risks and the costs are low and the potential benefit is significant. It is important, however, that people are aware of the risks before making the choice to take aspirin long-term. The drug can occasionally cause bleeding problems or an allergic reaction, so people should always check with their GP before beginning such a regime.”
(KMcA/GB)
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A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
17 October 2008
Aspirin 'Doesn't Prevent Heart Attacks'
Despite GPs prescribing the drugs to many thousands of their patients by way of prevention, new research suggests that aspirin does not after all prevent heart attacks.
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Shorter people are more at risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. The research discovered that every 2.5 inches of change in height affects the risk of coronary heart disease by 13.5%.
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‘Miracle’ cardiovascular pill for those over 55
A ‘miracle pill’ could drastically reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack for those aged 55 or over, say researchers.
‘Miracle’ cardiovascular pill for those over 55
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