Although low-dose aspirin could reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer, the disadvantages seem to outweigh the benefits for many women, suggests a large new study.
In women younger than 65 years, researchers found that taking low-dose aspirin for years reduced the risk of heart attack, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and slightly colon cancer.
But they also found that the benefit was seen offset by an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding importantly, serious enough for a woman to end up in the hospital.
The outlook improved in women after age 65. Aspirin also increased their risk of bleeding, but the benefits against heart disease and colon cancer were of greater magnitude, the researchers reported.
The study was published online Dec. 4 in the journal Heart.
Many people have heard that a low-dose aspirin is good for the heart, and perhaps think it is good idea to take a little every day. But the reality is much more complex, said Dr. John Erwin, a cardiologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas.
"There is no doubt that aspirin can save the lives of people who have already suffered a heart attack," Erwin, who was not involved in the new study.
For those people, he explained, a daily aspirin (if recommended by your doctor) can help prevent a second heart attack or other cardiovascular complications.
But they also found that the benefit was seen offset by an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding importantly, serious enough for a woman to end up in the hospital.
The outlook improved in women after age 65. Aspirin also increased their risk of bleeding, but the benefits against heart disease and colon cancer were of greater magnitude, the researchers reported.
The study was published online Dec. 4 in the journal Heart.
Many people have heard that a low-dose aspirin is good for the heart, and perhaps think it is good idea to take a little every day. But the reality is much more complex, said Dr. John Erwin, a cardiologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas.
"There is no doubt that aspirin can save the lives of people who have already suffered a heart attack," Erwin, who was not involved in the new study.
For those people, he explained, a daily aspirin (if recommended by your doctor) can help prevent a second heart attack or other cardiovascular complications.
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