Many Americans have seen the television commercials from a leading Aspirin manufacturer saying their drug “can help prevent another heart attack.” The claims behind the commercials, which have been airing for decades, are based on research showing that taking low doses of Aspirin daily can prohibit the aggregation of platelets that can cause a heart attack.
But Aspirin isn’t totally benign. In 2018, new evidence surfaced that put the brakes on this common practice. Scientists who conducted three major clinical trials found that an Aspirin regimen was too dangerous for certain people, in particular because of the increased risk of bleeding in the elderly and patients with diabetes.
That’s why earlier this year, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology changed their official guidelines to recommend against a low-dose Aspirin regimen for people without cardiovascular disease that are at higher risk for bleeding. They also recommend people over ...
