New research led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Michigan reveals that fewer than half of people worldwide who have had a heart attack or stroke take daily aspirin, despite its proven benefits in preventing a second cardiovascular event.
The study, published on August 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), has raised concerns about the underuse of this affordable and effective medication.
Aspirin’s Benefits and Affordability
Daily aspirin therapy has long been recommended for reducing the risk of a second heart attack or stroke by about one-quarter.
It is also highly affordable, costing as little as $2 to $8 per month for a supply of baby aspirin in the U.S.
Global Underuse
In low-income countries, only 16.6% of eligible individuals take aspirin to prevent a second heart attack or stroke.
The numbers are slightly better in lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries at 24.5% and 51.1%, respectively. In high-income countries like the United States, 65% of eligible individuals are on aspirin therapy.
Various Contributing Factors
According to Dr. Sang Gune Yoo, the study’s first author, there are numerous intersecting reasons behind this low aspirin use, including inconsistent healthcare messaging, accessibility issues, and in some countries, the requirement of a prescription for aspirin.
Implications
Urgent Need for Interventions
The study reveals an alarming underutilization of aspirin, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr. Yoo emphasized the need for multi-faceted interventions, including leveraging existing healthcare infrastructures used for other conditions like HIV/AIDS, and making aspirin more accessible through pharmacies or primary care providers.
The Impact of Comorbidities
Various factors, such as smoking, diabetes, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and obesity, contribute to the risk of cardiovascular events.
Aspirin’s role as a blood thinner can be crucial in mitigating these risks by preventing platelet clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
What’s Next?
According to Dr. Yoo, the findings should serve as a wake-up call for healthcare providers and policymakers. There’s an urgent need for strategies that can increase evidence-based aspirin use to save lives.
Conclusion
The study reveals a significant global healthcare gap in the utilization of an affordable, effective preventive measure for secondary heart attacks and strokes.
Urgent, multi-pronged interventions are needed to address this problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how espresso coffee affects your cholesterol level, and results showing Vitamin C linked to lower risk of heart failure.
The study was published in JAMA.
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