Menu
29/05/2009
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
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.
The researchers said this means there were five fewer non-fatal heart attacks for every 10,000 people treated, but this was offset by a comparable increase in bleeding - one extra stroke and three cases of stomach bleeding per 10,000 people treated.
In the secondary prevention studies - where patients were taking aspirin to prevent a repeat attack - aspirin reduced the chances of serious vascular events by about one-fifth and this benefit clearly outweighed the small risk of bleeding.
The new study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council.
It was headed by Professor Colin Baigent of the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit at Oxford University, who said: "The latest research does not seem to justify general guidelines advocating the routine use of aspirin in all healthy individuals.
"Drug safety really matters when making recommendations for tens of millions of healthy people.
"We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin."
In effect, the study said that healthy adults who take daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks could be doing more harm than good.
A senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, Ellen Mason, said: "This study on the use of aspirin in primary prevention, partly funded by the BHF, provides further confirmation that in those without existing heart disease there is limited benefit from taking aspirin due to the risk of bleeding.
"'For this reason it is better for doctors to weigh up the benefit and risk of prescribing aspirin on an individual basis, rather than develop a blanket guideline suggesting everyone at risk of heart disease is routinely given aspirin. This ensures patient safety," she said.
In Northern Ireland, a medical charity has made a much stronger contribution to the debate, and have effectively 'rubbished' the report's findings.
Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NI Chest Heart & Stroke said: "People who have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease should not abandon aspirin as a result of reading about one research project in the Press."
See: 'Keep Taking The Tablets', Says NICHS
(BMcC/JM)
However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
The researchers said this means there were five fewer non-fatal heart attacks for every 10,000 people treated, but this was offset by a comparable increase in bleeding - one extra stroke and three cases of stomach bleeding per 10,000 people treated.
In the secondary prevention studies - where patients were taking aspirin to prevent a repeat attack - aspirin reduced the chances of serious vascular events by about one-fifth and this benefit clearly outweighed the small risk of bleeding.
The new study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council.
It was headed by Professor Colin Baigent of the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit at Oxford University, who said: "The latest research does not seem to justify general guidelines advocating the routine use of aspirin in all healthy individuals.
"Drug safety really matters when making recommendations for tens of millions of healthy people.
"We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin."
In effect, the study said that healthy adults who take daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks could be doing more harm than good.
A senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, Ellen Mason, said: "This study on the use of aspirin in primary prevention, partly funded by the BHF, provides further confirmation that in those without existing heart disease there is limited benefit from taking aspirin due to the risk of bleeding.
"'For this reason it is better for doctors to weigh up the benefit and risk of prescribing aspirin on an individual basis, rather than develop a blanket guideline suggesting everyone at risk of heart disease is routinely given aspirin. This ensures patient safety," she said.
In Northern Ireland, a medical charity has made a much stronger contribution to the debate, and have effectively 'rubbished' the report's findings.
Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NI Chest Heart & Stroke said: "People who have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease should not abandon aspirin as a result of reading about one research project in the Press."
See: 'Keep Taking The Tablets', Says NICHS
(BMcC/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
13 April 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.
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.
09 April 2015
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
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%.
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
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%.
07 August 2009
Male Angina 'Doubles Risk Of Heart Attack'
New research has shown that men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, a study published by the British Medical Journal has revealed.
Male Angina 'Doubles Risk Of Heart Attack'
New research has shown that men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, a study published by the British Medical Journal has revealed.
20 May 2005
Benefits of aspirin for over-70s questioned
Questions have been raised over the benefits of giving low dose aspirin to healthy people aged 70 and over. A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggested that the benefits of giving aspirin to the over-70s could be offset by increased cases of serious bleeding.
Benefits of aspirin for over-70s questioned
Questions have been raised over the benefits of giving low dose aspirin to healthy people aged 70 and over. A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggested that the benefits of giving aspirin to the over-70s could be offset by increased cases of serious bleeding.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
