FDA Recommends Against Using Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Heart Attack or Stroke

Aspirin should not be used to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in patients with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In statement released on May 5  , the FDA said that its review of available data does not support the use of aspirin for primary prevention of a heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, the Agency pointed out that aspirin use is associated with "serious risks," including increased risk of bleeding in the stomach and brain.

"It's a useful statement to warn people that aspirin is not a blanket therapy," said Allen Taylor, MD, FACC, in a Bloombergarticle covering the announcement.  "It's not innocuous."

As for secondary prevention for people with cardiovascular disease or those who have had a previous heart attack or stroke, the available evidence continues to support aspirin use. "In patients who have had a cardiovascular event, the known benefits of aspirin for secondary prevention outweigh the risk of bleeding," noted the FDA.

This development highlights the importance of patients having one-on-one discussions with their health care providers regarding the best treatment options for their individual circumstances.

Source: www.cardiosource.org