A recent study from Johns Hopkins University has found that many older Americans continue to take low-dose aspirin daily to prevent heart disease, even though new medical guidelines advise against it.
The research highlights that a large percentage of adults aged 70 and older are using aspirin, even if they have never had a heart attack or stroke.
Why Was Aspirin Recommended Before?
Aspirin has long been used as a blood thinner, reducing the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In the past, doctors often recommended daily low-dose aspirin for people at high risk of heart disease, especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of smoking.
However, newer research has challenged this approach, showing that aspirin’s risks may outweigh its benefits for many older adults.
What Did the Study Find?
Researchers analyzed data from over 7,100 U.S. adults aged 60 and older who participated in a national health survey. They found that:
- 50% to 62% of adults aged 70 and above were still taking low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease.
- Many of these people had never had a heart attack or stroke, meaning they might not need aspirin at all.
- Nearly 10 million older Americans who have no history of heart disease are still taking aspirin for prevention.
What Are the Risks of Taking Aspirin Daily?
New medical guidelines warn that aspirin is not always safe for older adults. The biggest risk is bleeding, especially in the stomach or brain. As people age, their blood vessels become more fragile, increasing the chance of internal bleeding.
Recent studies also suggest that aspirin may not be as effective as once thought in preventing first-time heart attacks or strokes.
What Do Experts Now Recommend?
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have changed their guidelines:
- Aspirin is no longer recommended for most healthy adults aged 70 and older to prevent a first-time heart attack or stroke.
- Aspirin may still be helpful for people who already have heart disease, such as those with clogged arteries, past heart attacks, or strokes.
- Instead of aspirin, doctors now focus on statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) as a safer and more effective way to reduce heart disease risk.
Should Older Adults Stop Taking Aspirin?
Many older adults started taking aspirin years ago when doctors still recommended it for prevention. Experts suggest that anyone taking daily aspirin should talk to their doctor before stopping or continuing.
Doctors will consider:
- Personal health history
- Risk of heart disease
- Risk of bleeding
What’s the Best Way to Protect Your Heart?
Instead of relying on aspirin, doctors recommend:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet – Plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Exercising regularly – Even 30 minutes of walking daily can improve heart health.
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol – Medication like statins may be more effective than aspirin for prevention.
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol – These habits can increase heart disease risk.
Final Thoughts
This study shows that millions of older adults are still taking aspirin based on outdated advice. While aspirin is still important for those who have already had heart disease, its use for prevention in healthy seniors is now discouraged.
The best step? Talk to your doctor to determine if aspirin is necessary for you, or if other treatments would be safer and more effective for heart health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and calcium supplements could harm your heart health.
For more health information, please see recent studies that blackcurrants can reduce blood sugar after meal and results showing how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
