Aspirin

Daily low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by 17%. For people not medically required to take aspirin, the risk-to-benefit ratio is unfavorable. The 17% cardiovascular benefit of daily baby aspirin sounds compelling in isolation, but the full dataset significantly changes the picture. Daily low-dose aspirin does not produce meaningful health benefits in people without existing cardiovascular conditions. Three large, credible studies were used to evaluate the effects of daily low-dose aspirin. The trial results challenge the longstanding widespread practice of daily preventive aspirin use. The recommendation that everyone over 50 should take daily aspirin is challenged due to significant side effects. Prior to 2022, daily low-dose aspirin was recommended for everyone over 60 to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin has been used medicinally for approximately 4,000 years and has saved hundreds of thousands of lives by reducing clot formation. Aspirin works partly by inhibiting COX enzymes. Aspirin reduces clot formation by inhibiting thromboxane, a platelet activator. Participants taking daily aspirin had higher all-cause mortality than those taking a place…