Many older people in the United States are still taking a small dose of aspirin every day to avoid heart problems, even though new medical advice suggests most of them shouldn’t.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University found that this common habit may not be as safe or helpful as once believed.
For many years, doctors told people to take a low-dose aspirin—sometimes called “baby aspirin”—every day to lower their chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Aspirin helps by thinning the blood, which can stop dangerous clots from forming. This advice was often given to people who were at higher risk of heart disease, even if they had never had any heart problems before.
But in recent years, scientists have discovered that aspirin might not be the best choice for everyone, especially for older adults.
While aspirin can lower the risk of heart attacks, it also increases the chance of serious bleeding, especially in the stomach or brain. These side effects become more likely as people get older, particularly after the age of 70.
The study looked at health information from over 7,100 people in the U.S. who were aged 60 and older.
Researchers found that between half and nearly two-thirds of people aged 70 and up were still taking aspirin every day, even if they had never had a heart attack or stroke. That means millions of older adults could be putting themselves at risk without much benefit.
The study also showed that people with diabetes—a condition that makes heart disease more likely—were just as likely to take aspirin, whether or not they had ever had a heart problem. This shows that old medical advice is still shaping people’s behavior, even though recommendations have changed.
These days, health experts like the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology say that people over 70 should not take aspirin every day to prevent their first heart attack or stroke. The chance of bleeding is too high, and the benefits are too small for people who don’t already have heart disease.
Instead, doctors now recommend other ways to protect the heart. One of the most popular is taking statins—drugs that lower bad cholesterol in the blood. Statins can help prevent heart problems with fewer side effects for most people.
Still, aspirin can be helpful for some people. If someone has already had a heart attack or stroke, or if they have blocked arteries, daily aspirin might help prevent another heart problem.
The researchers say it’s important for older adults to talk to their doctors before they start or stop taking aspirin. Many people began taking it years ago, and they might not know that the advice has changed. Everyone’s health is different, so it’s best to make these decisions with a doctor’s help.
This study is a good reminder that medical guidance can change. Something that used to be good advice might not be the best choice anymore. As we learn more about health and safety, it’s important to stay updated and talk with healthcare providers to make sure we’re doing what’s best for our bodies.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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