Low-dose aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke is no longer recommended for most older adults, according to new guidelines released this month.
[Sorry for this boring post on a homemaking blog, but it might affect you or a loved one! See the end or you will miss the reason I took the time to write this.]
After doctors said for decades that a daily 75 to 100 milligrams of aspirin could prevent cardiovascular problems, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association reversed that idea.
Capturing my nursing/medical interest, a reader stated yesterday:
“My mother took a daily aspirin for joint pain and died of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 59. Beware!” – followed by this article, “Johns Hopkins Research Finds Medical Errors Third Leading Cause of Death in U.S.
I think we all need to reevaluate how much we want to depend on the allopathic medical system!
The Studies that Challenge the Practice of Low Dose Aspirin
A trio of studies recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine are challenging the modern tenet of prophylactic low dose aspirin therapy.
The first clinical trial found a daily low-dose aspirin had no effect on prolonging life in healthy, elderly people and actually suggested the pills could be linked to major hemorrhages. Approximately 20,000 healthy individuals with a median age of 74 were followed for 5 years.
The second study agreed that the risk of major hemorrhage primarily involved “upper gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding.“
In the third study, a “higher all-cause mortality” was observed among healthy older adults who received daily aspirin compared to those who received a placebo.
Only certain people with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and low risk of bleeding might continue using the painkiller as a preventive measure, cardiologist Roger Blumenthal said in a statement.
Warning: What about those patients already on a daily dose?
Please don’t ignore another recent (Oct. 2017) study that says:
Stopping Daily Aspirin Increases Risk for Recurrent Heart Attack, Stroke
The Circulation American Heart Assoc. PubMed study found:
- Patients who stopped a low-dose aspirin regimen were 37% more likely to experience a cardiovascular event compared with those who adhered to therapy.
- Additionally, the increased risk of cardiovascular events was found to increase after aspirin cessation and did not lower over time, according to the study.
I sometimes wonder if the head consults with the tail when it comes to recommendations by the mainstream medical establishment.
What is needed is individualized care.
Please talk to your doctor first before stopping cold turkey.
Print out the 2017 study to take with you to your next appointment and question what is best for YOU and your individual circumstances!
Rachel
Your blog is PERFECTION! I relate to ALL of your posts. The first post I read was a guest post about toxic mold. It was both heartbreaking and inspirational. I have since fallen in love with how you see the world. I am recovering from severe mold illness, which took my health, my home, and the business that I poured my soul into, creating it from scratch. I began blogging as a way to organize those thoughts – to add clarity to this new image of the world that God has presented to me. Your perspective is so comforting! I will strive to spread that awesome perspective and the support that goes along with it.
Jacqueline
Dear Rachel, My eyes are watering :*) over here. I think you just captured my heart for poeple, but I try to not necessarily show it lest I come across as affected. That is high praise but it rightfully belongs to our hevenly Father who gives life and (like you mentioned) perspective through deep trials. He is perfecting us to be like his Son Jesus. We can and must pray to ‘have the mind of Christ’! Praise God for His indescribable goodness and faithfulness! I will now hop over to your blog, dear one! I can’t wait!! J
Stephen Franzese
The article you linked to is specifically linked to recurrent heart events. I have been on a self-imposed aspirin regimen for 8 years. I will be 70 later this year. My doctor said that the latest studies show no benefit from aspirin if you haven’t had a prior event. (I haven’t.) So, I interpret that study as saying “if you haven’t started aspirin, there’s no need to start.” BUT – if you have (like me) – is there a risk from stopping? I can’t find any data that address this topic. Thanks.
Jacqueline
Stephen, that is one of the reasons I took the time to write the post – bc it is hard to know, and to raise awareness.
I feel what Western medicine has told us is conflicting, and it makes it a hard call. I always pray and ask the Lord to guide me, so that would be my suggestion. I also would wean off slowly if you do decide to do so.
This is off topic, but my husband and I have decided to detox heavy metals as bacteria, fungus, and viruses feed on them.
https://ecosh.com/heavy-metals-are-a-food-source-for-cancer-and-viruses-and-cause-a-host-of-other-serious-illnesses/
They thrive in a heavy metal environment. There are many studies.
They build up within us and end up making latent infections (including Lyme’s) stronger! When we remove them out immune systems can and do rebound as God designed them to. We are using TRS, a zeolite spray to do that and wrote about it here: https://deeprootsathome.com/avalyns-story-how-trs-a-safe-heavy-metal-detox-can-help-you-and-your-child/
So, I would address underlying causes and not address the low dose aspirin until you have a really strong system. We are 68 and 67, so this is of prime interest to us.
Blessings!