Guidelines clarify when daily aspirin use proper

Minnesota doctors welcomed recent federal health guidelines on daily use of low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

The new advice — which spells out by age and risk who is likely to benefit from taking an 81 milligram-pill a day — is clear and helpful, many doctors say.

“We’ve had a lot of patients who decided for whatever reason on their own to start taking aspirin,” said Dr. Rae Ann Williams, who specializes in internal medicine at HealthPartners’ Como Clinic in St. Paul. “This recommendation really helps us tailor that recommendation and have a much better conversation with patients about whether or not they are at high risk, and help guide them in their decision-making.”

Numerous studies have shown that taking a low-dose aspirin a day can prevent a heart attack or stroke, leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

But for some people, the risks associated with following a daily aspirin regimen — including stomach bleeding and allergic reactions to aspirin — may outweigh the benefits.

So how can you tell if you are a good candidate for daily aspirin use?

Here’s what the new guidelines, developed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, advise:

• A daily low-dose aspirin is recommended for those adults 50-59 whose life expectancy is at least a decade and who have a 10 percent or higher chance of a heart attack or other cardiovascular event. They also must have only an average risk for stomach bleeding.

• Adults 60-69 with a similar risk profile are advised to consult their doctor about possible daily aspirin use.

• Taking an aspirin daily was not recommended for adults younger than 50 or older than 69.