An aspirin a day?

Widely reported in the press was a large-scale review that questioned the use of aspirin for primary prevention in cardiovascular disease. The meta-analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked at data from 9 RCTs each involving over 1000 participants. Researchers found reductions in non-fatal heart attacks in each trial, but also the chance of suffering serious internal bleeding increased by about 30%. The study's authors conclude that while the benefit for people who already had a history of heart attack or stroke was not in doubt, "routine use of aspirin for primary prevention is not warranted and treatment decisions need to be considered on a case-by-case basis." An article in Pulse quoted several GPs who already advised against aspirin taken in this way and noted doctors should be aware that there was a tendency for patients to self-medicate.