Daily Aspirin for Heart Health No Longer Recommended for Grandparents, New Guidelines Show

A daily intake of low-dose aspirin for heart health to prevent a first heart attack for grandparents or adults above 60 years old is no longer recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

The panel of experts revealed in its finalized recommendations that aspirin for heart health might contribute to more risks of bleeding in the brain or stomach as a person gets older.

"The chance of internal bleeding increases with age," USPSTF Vice-Chair, Dr. Michael Barry, said in the USPSTF Bulletin. "The potential harms of aspirin use cancel out the benefits in this age group."

Husband and grandfather Robert Hardman recounted how he developed a stomach ulcer and was bleeding out because he took aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack. He recalled reading about how this medication may reduce the risks and has been taking a 75-mg tablet before bedtime for at least seven years.

Hardman was not aware of the side effects of aspirin intake. He also could not recall a warning from his doctors who prescribed his statins, per Daily Mail. Fortunately, the elderly recovered from the ulcer and has since stopped taking aspirin.

​​

When Can Patients Take Aspirin for Heart Health?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6.7 percent of adults develop coronary artery disease, also known as ischemic heart disease. This happens when plaque buildup around the arteries decreases the supply of blood in the heart, which can lead to a heart attack or death.

Some cases may be non-obstructive but may require a coronary CT angiography to detect if there is a developing plaque buildup. Doctors commonly prescribe statins or low-dose to help draw out the cholesterol causing the buildup. But the panel has reviewed this practice and concluded that there is no value in starting a daily intake of aspirin for heart health for older patients.

However, Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic said that aspirin might be needed as secondary prevention for adults who have had a heart attack. Their doctor likely prescribed this medication and should also wait for the medical advice to stop. In some cases, aspirin may deliver "a modest but definite benefit" if a patient has a stent or myocardial infarction.

Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones of the American Heart Association told CNN that aspirin "might still make sense" for some patients who are not good at controlling their blood pressure or cholesterol. It could be an alternative to a more expensive treatment in places with no good health care.

The USPSTF also said that people between 40 to 59 years old, who have more than a 10 percent chance of developing a heart issue in the next decade, should discuss the need to take aspirin with their doctors as the circumstances of each person is specific to their body's health and wellness. Generally, however, doctors believe that healthy adults who have no other health risks and who have not had a heart attack may do more harm than good if they drink low-dose aspirin every day.

Other Ways to Reduce Your Heart Attack Risks

Per the American Heart Association, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, being physically active, managing your weight, and avoiding vices like drinking or smoking are still the best preventive measures for avoiding a heart attack.

Parents or grandparents with pre-existing conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood sugar must have regular visits to their doctors to keep their health in check. If they are prescribed maintenance medications, they should keep taking these unless the doctor has other alternatives.