Aspirin and Cardiovascular Prevention: Updated Perspective
Earlier studies raised concerns about the routine use of daily aspirin in people without known cardiovascular disease. More recent large clinical trials and guideline updates have reinforced this position.
Current evidence indicates that for individuals without a history of heart attack, stroke, or established cardiovascular disease, routine daily aspirin offers little to no net benefit and increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. As a result, aspirin is no longer routinely recommended for primary prevention in otherwise healthy adults.
Aspirin continues to play an important role in secondary prevention—for individuals with known cardiovascular disease—where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. For those without established disease, however, the balance of evidence suggests that the risks of daily aspirin use generally exceed the potential benefits.
