Aspirin has been used for pain
relief. But several studies now
documented that aspirin also reduces heart attack and cancer. It also has an
increased risk of bleeding (stroke, bowel bleeding, etc). A meta-analysis study suggests that
aspirin use in 1000 average risk patients at age 60 years would be expected to
result, over a 10-year period, in six fewer deaths, 19 fewer non-fatal
myocardial infarctions, 14 fewer cancers, and 16 more major bleeding events.
Sokol et al recommended for individuals age
50 years or older without excess bleeding risks to take daily aspirin at a dose
of 75 to 100 mg. Patients who are risk or concern about bleeding may not want
to do this. Please discuss it with your
doctors and practitioners.
Reference
- Sokol NH. Practice changing
updates. Uptodates. Accessed 5-5-13
- Rothwell PM, et al. Short-term effects of daily aspirin on cancer
incidence, mortality, and non-vascular death: analysis of the time course of
risks and benefits in 51 randomised controlled trials. Lancet.
2012;379(9826):1602.
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