Posted 7 hours ago,
Reading 2 mins.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
04 May 2022
According to the American health authorities, taking a daily tablet of aspirin to prevent infarction and stroke would be a bad idea after 60 years. The opinion of Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
Aspirin as a daily preventive treatment, yes, but not in all cases! Since April 26, the US preventive services task force (USPSTF) has recommended taking into account the age and history of cardiovascular disease of patients – otherwise the risk/benefit balance will be reversed.
The patient’s age and cardiovascular history are decisive
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 1 in 4 deaths. Each year, approximately 605,000 people in the United States experience a first heart attack and approximately 610,000 experience a first stroke, according to the latest figures. published in medical journal jama.
However, in recent years, the preventive use of aspirin has become widespread. This practice, which regularly agitates the scientific community, is the subject of several large-scale studies – so much so that the American health authorities have commissioned a vast investigation into this subject.
An increased risk of bleeding
The results of this study showed that from the age of 60, the hemorrhagic risk was higher than the cardiovascular benefit. In particular, the researchers observed an increased risk of digestive and intracerebral hemorrhage in seniors taking a daily dose of more than 100 mg of aspirin.
It is in this context that the American health authorities published new recommendations on Tuesday, April 26:
- In people aged 40 to 59 with a 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease of 10% or more: taking aspirin as a preventive measure is an individual decision, to be taken jointly with the doctor. “Evidence indicates that the net benefit of aspirin use in this group is small. People who are not at increased risk of bleeding and who are willing to take low-dose aspirin daily are more likely to benefit.”underline the authorities.
- In people aged 60 or over: the authorities recommend not to start the use of aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Consult a cardiologist online
“A question of risk/benefit balance”
For Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, it’s all about the risk/benefit balance.
“In people at risk of cardiovascular disease and who have a medical prescription to this effect, taking aspirin is recommended. On the other hand, in people in perfect health and who have little risk of stroke, consuming it is not recommended.he says.
Indeed, if for the first group, the benefit is real (prevention of thrombosis, stroke, etc.), for the second group, the risks are multiplied: hemorrhage and perforation of the ulcer as a result.
“Taking aspirin every day – even in small doses – is dangerous”firmly reminds the medical director of Doctissimo.
In terms of preventing cardiovascular disease (or any other disease), the prescription of aspirin must be individualized.
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