Half of older U.S. adults take aspirin as preventive medicine

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

A survey of more than 2,500 older US adults revealed that 52% of those ages 45 to 75 years use aspirin, and another 21% had used it at some point in the past, even though the FDA does not recommend its use for most people who have not had a heart attack or stroke.

In this study, 81% of older adults using aspirin have not had a heart attack or stroke and take it as primary prevention.

Caution is advised because aspirin is a blood thinner and cause bleeding events. According to the FDA, for every first heart attack or stroke that is prevented by taking aspirin, there is approximately one major bleeding event, such as GI bleeding, that is caused by the practice.

The US Preventive Services Task Force, however, says aspirin use may be appropriate for patients at higher risk for cardiovascular events, such as those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, and those who smoke.

The survey also showed that many patients who take aspirin have discussed it with their doctors, and are aware of the risks.

The reasons cited for aspirin use included to prevent heart attack (84%), stroke (66%), cancer (18%), and Alzheimer disease (11%).