No benefits were observed in the trial for healthy individuals aged 70+, and the pills increased risks for potentially fatal internal bleeding; experts described results as important and caution against self medicating with aspirin.
There are proven benefits of the drug for individuals after a heart attack or stroke, such patients are prescribed aspirin after stroke or heart attack as the drug thins blood and reduces chances of a repeat attack.
Otherwise healthy people sometimes choose to take aspirin to help reduce their risks; continuing research is investigating whether aspirin can be used to reduce the risks of cancer. Most research on benefits of aspirin is performed on middle aged populations and there is mounting evidence of dangers increasing with age.
19,114 people with no history of heart problems aged 70+ from Australia and the USA participated in this study. Half of the subjects were given low dose aspirin for 5 years. 3 reports show the pills did not reduce risks of heart problems or have any other benefits, however the number of major stomach bleeds did increase. An increase in deaths from cancer was discovered which goes against other current findings in the field and requires further investigation.
In otherwise healthy individuals aged 70+ with no history of stroke or heart attack taking aspirin is of very little benefit; self medicating with the drug in the absence of definite medical indication is not advisable according to the researchers. Findings do not apply to those with history of stroke and/or heart attack; and otherwise healthy individuals who have been self medicating with low dose aspirin for an extended period of time are not advised to stop overnight as it may caused problems, those people should discuss the matter with their doctor.
