Asprin
In low doses, aspirin reduces "sticking" of blood platelets to one another, preventing blood clots. A study of nearly 40 000 initially healthy women 45 years of age or older found that aspirin (100 milligrams every other day) reduced the risk of a first stroke by nearly 25%, and in women over 65 years of age, it decreased the likelihood of both heart attack and stroke. On the flip side, aspirin increased by 40% the risk of bleeding within the stomach and intestines, a known side effect.
What is the take-home message for women? Low-dose aspirin reduces heart attack and stroke for women at high risk and for those over 65 years of age. The balance of benefit with the risk of bleeding must be weighed carefully for each individual and discussed with a healthcare professional.
There is evidence to suggest that women with a prior heart attack or stroke may benefit from daily aspirin. Women at low risk for a heart attack or stroke do not appear to benefit from regular aspirin use.
Are All the Answers About Aspirin in?
The wide-scale availability, low cost, and proven benefits of aspirin make it a topic of great interest and importance in public health. There are many questions regarding the regular use of aspirin that remain unanswered:
- What is the role of aspirin among women at intermediate risk (10% to 20% risk over a 10-year period) for a stroke or heart attack?
- What is the safest and most effective dose of aspirin?
- Does the optimal dose of aspirin differ from one person to another?
- Do the protective effects of aspirin differ between women and men? If so, how can the difference be explained and translated to health care?
- Can a simple blood test like C-reactive protein identify healthy people who are likely to benefit from aspirin?
(Sources: (American Heart Association. Circulation. 2005;112:e273-e275)
