Latest news with #JohnsHopkinsCiccaroneCenterforthePreventionofCardiovascularDisease
USA Today
06-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Aspirin is a blood thinner. Depending on your health condition, that can be good or bad.
Aspirin is a blood thinner. Depending on your health condition, that can be good or bad. Show Caption Hide Caption Not eating equivalent of two apples daily raises risk of fatal heart disease or stroke: study A recent study shows many adults are eating less fruit and vegetables than they should to reduce heart disease and stroke risk. Buzz60 The debate over whether people ages 60 and up should take aspirin continues as medical experts learn more about the potential pros and cons of long-term use. Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication used for a variety of reasons, but particularly in heart attack and stroke prevention for older people. Aside from pain treatment, doctors may prescribe aspirin to patients who are at risk of heart attack or stroke, according to Harvard Health. Dr. Michael J. Blaha, director of clinical research for the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, is breaking down how aspirin can help with those conditions and how blood-thinning may be a benefit or a danger to your particular health condition. Concerned about hypothyroidism? These are the signs to look out for. Is aspirin a blood thinner? Yes, aspirin is a blood thinner. For those who are at high risk of heart attack or stroke, this is beneficial. Heart attacks and strokes occur when plaque forms in arteries, which can slow down blood flow in the body and cause small blood clots to form. Blocking or disrupting blood flow to the heart is what causes a heart attack, while blocked or disrupted blood flow to the head causes a stroke. Here's where aspirin can come into play: It thins blood, which makes clots less likely. "Aspirin can reduce heart attacks and strokes, and to some degree other clots like those in the deep veins of the legs," Blaha sasys. "In low doses, aspirin inhibits platelets and therefore reduces blood clots." Thinning blood and therefore making clots less likely is a definite pro for those who are at higher risk of cardiovascular issues. But that doesn't make aspirin a prime candidate for everyone. "In cardiovascular disease, we commonly prefer blood thinning because many cardiovascular diseases are the result of blood clots," Blaha says. "However, blood thinning is inevitably accompanied by an increased risk of bleeding." Be careful: Why you should reconsider taking daily aspirin Who should not take aspirin? Nearly one in three Americans over the age of 60 — roughly 19 million people — take aspirin daily, according to a 2021 study in Annals of Internal Medicine. And more than three million Americans reported taking aspirin without consulting a medical professional first. But the American Heart Association warns against taking daily low-dose aspirin without talking to your doctor first. "Too may low-risk patients were taking aspirin in the past, sometimes without consulting a medical professional," Blaha notes. In general, those who are "at low to moderate risk of cardiovascular disease without any evidence of subclinical disease on imaging or prior heart attack or stroke" should also avoid taking aspirin, he adds. Because of its increased risk of bleeding, those who have a history of bleeding or who have gastrointestinal disorders should not take aspirin, Blaha adds. Aspirin "weakens the stomach's protective lining against stomach acid, making the stomach and intestines more vulnerable to ulcers, which can bleed," according to Harvard Health. You should also talk to your doctor before discontinuing aspirin use if you have a history of heart attacks or stroke, Blaha adds.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Health
- USA Today
1 in 3 older Americans take aspirin daily. What does it do?
1 in 3 older Americans take aspirin daily. What does it do? Show Caption Hide Caption Expert reveals the fruits, rice and meats that can lower blood pressure Hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease. Nutrition therapist Lauren Kelly has dietary suggestions that can help lower blood pressure. Nearly one in three Americans over the age of 60 — roughly 19 million people — take aspirin daily, according to a 2021 study in Annals of Internal Medicine. Should you be among that group? Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication used for a variety of reasons, but particularly in heart attack and stroke prevention for older people. Dr. Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH, Director of Clinical Research for the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, is breaking down how exactly aspirin helps with those health conditions and whether you should ask your doctor about taking it, depending on what your health concerns are. What does aspirin do? Aside from pain treatment, doctors may prescribe aspirin to patients who are at risk of heart attack or stroke, according to Harvard Health. These two serious health conditions occur when plaque forms in arteries, which can slow down blood flow in the body and cause small blood clots to form. Blocking or disrupting blood flow to the heart is what causes a heart attack, while blocked or disrupted blood flow to the head causes a stroke. Here's where aspirin can come into play: it thins blood, which makes clots less likely. "Aspirin can reduce heart attacks and strokes, and to some degree other clots like those in the deep veins of the legs," Blaha says. "In low doses, aspirin inhibits platelets and therefore reduces blood clots." More: Why you should reconsider taking daily aspirin Does aspirin thin blood quickly? Thinning blood and therefore making clots less likely is a definite pro for those who are at higher risk of cardiovascular issues. But that doesn't make aspirin a prime candidate for everyone. "In cardiovascular disease, we commonly prefer blood thinning because many cardiovascular diseases are the result of blood clots," Blaha says. "However, blood thinning is inevitably accompanied by an increased risk of bleeding." Because of that increased risk of bleeding, those who have a history of bleeding or who have gastrointestinal disorders should not take aspirin, Blaha says. Aspirin "weakens the stomach's protective lining against stomach acid, making the stomach and intestines more vulnerable to ulcers, which can bleed," according to Harvard Health. Those who are "at low to moderate risk of cardiovascular disease without any evidence of subclinical disease on imaging or prior heart attack or stroke" should also avoid taking aspirin, Blaha adds. More than three million Americans reported taking aspirin without consulting a medical professional first, according to that 2021 survey. But the American Heart Association warns against taking daily low-dose aspirin without talking to your doctor first. Concerned about hypothyroidism? These are the signs to look out for. "Too may low risk patients were taking aspirin in the past, sometimes without consulting a medical professional," Blaha notes.
