Regular aspirin intake contributes to overall health, yet some individuals don’t take it consistently
Aspirin, a medication known for its protective effects on the body, has proven particularly effective for individuals who have already experienced a heart attack. However, a study presented at the recent ESC 2023 Congress unveiled that those who did not consistently take the medication were at a higher risk of subsequent heart attack, stroke, or death compared to those who took it regularly.
Study results
The objective of the study presented in Amsterdam was to compare the risks of heart attack, stroke, and death among people who had stopped taking aspirin therapy compared to those who continued. The participants included patients who had experienced their first heart attack at the age of 40 or older and were treated with coronary stenting and aspirin during the first year after the heart attack. A total of 40,114 patients were included. The participants were followed at two-year intervals over eight years. At each follow-up, compliance with the aspirin regimen was assessed by examining the proportion of days when patients had access to the medication during the previous two years. During each follow-up, individuals who had experienced an additional heart attack, stroke, or died in the meantime were excluded. Those who initiated treatment with blood-thinning or inhibitory medications, drugs that act similarly to aspirin in preventing blood clots, were also removed. The researchers noticed that adherence to treatment decreased over time. After two years, 90 percent were still using aspirin. However, by the eighth year, 81 percent were still taking the medication. At each follow-up, the team discovered that those who continued to take aspirin had a lower likelihood of experiencing any of the comorbidities. Specifically, those who did not use aspirin had a 29 percent, 40 percent, 31 percent, and 20 percent higher risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke, or death at each of the check-ups.
Despite its effectiveness, heart attack patients often don’t take aspirin
While taking aspirin after a heart attack is an effective way to prevent further attacks, a study in JAMA shows that not enough people who could benefit from the medication actually take it.
In another study involving 124,505 participants from 51 countries worldwide, individuals were surveyed about their cardiovascular disease history and aspirin usage. Among low-income countries, only 16.6 percent of people took aspirin as a preventive measure. In lower-middle-income countries, this figure rose to 24.5 percent, while in upper-middle-income countries, over 51.5 percent used it.
Although aspirin isn’t suitable for everyone, if you have a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, it’s important to discuss with your doctor to determine if it could be beneficial for you.
