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Aspirin for Primary Prevention 'Should Not Be Routinely Initiated'
Aspirin "should not be routinely initiated" for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, and for patients already taking aspirin, its use should be reviewed, advises the BMJ publication Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
After considering the recommendations of several meta-analyses, the authors conclude that the available evidence "does not justify the routine use of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of [cardiovascular disease] in apparently healthy individuals, including those with elevated blood pressure or diabetes." They say the risk for serious bleeding due to chronic aspirin use sometimes offsets aspirin's benefits.
The authors add that for patients already taking aspirin, "the decision about whether to continue with the treatment should be taken by both the patient and a healthcare professional in light of the available evidence."
LINK(S):
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)
USPSTF guidelines on aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease (Free)
Previous Physician's First Watch coverage of Lancet meta-analysis on aspirin for primary prevention (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch November 4, 2009
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