Latest news with #aspirin
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors Say This Is the Right Way to Take Low-Dose Aspirin
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You may have heard that taking a low dose of aspirin every day can boost your heart health. Last year, the American Heart Association reported that more than 48% of U.S. adults age 20 and up have some form of cardiovascular disease, so it makes sense that you should take a daily aspirin, right? Not so fast. If you don't have heart problems, taking a low dose of aspirin might not be right for you. Why do some people take low-dose aspirin? 'Typically, low-dose aspirin is for patients who have established atherosclerotic disease,' says Nishant Shah, M.D., an associate professor of medicine in cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC. 'Atherosclerotic disease means there's evidence of cholesterol plaque in your arteries. Many patients with atherosclerotic disease have had prior heart attacks or strokes. Other patients can have atherosclerotic disease without having had a heart attack or stroke, but are still at risk of having either. Low dose aspirin can help in the prevention of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke in patients with atherosclerotic disease.' According to Mayo Clinic, aspirin acts as a blood thinner. Any clots that build up inside a heart artery could block blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke, and aspirin can help stop a clot from forming. If you've had a procedure, like a heart valve replacement, you may also be prescribed a low-dose regimen for a period of time. Beyond the cardiovascular system, though, a new study from the University of Hong Kong found that using low-dose aspirin for 10 years could cut a person's risk of lung, breast and colorectal cancer. If you're curious, take a deeper dive into the specifics of taking low-dose aspirin below, including the best time to take it if your doctor does recommend it for you. Just don't start an aspirin regimen on your own. 'You should consult with your doctor about whether or not low-dose aspirin is right for you,' stresses Dr. Lindley. What is a low-dose aspirin regimen? Technically, any dose of aspirin that is 100 mg or less is considered to be a low dose. However, in the U.S., 81 mg is the most commonly prescribed low dose. The United States Preventative Task Force has made the following recommendations regarding aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease: Adults 40-59: A daily low-dose aspirin regimen may be recommended if a patient has 10% odds or higher of developing heart disease in the next decade. Adults aged 60 or older: A daily low-dose aspirin regimen isn't recommended to prevent heart disease. All decisions regarding an aspirin regimen should be tailored to the individual patient. How do you know if you should take low-dose aspirin? It's all about your medical history. 'People who have previously experienced a heart attack, a stroke, or an intervention for coronary artery disease, such as a or , may have an indication for aspirin therapy for secondary prevention,' says Matthew I. Tomey, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, an interventional and critical care cardiologist at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City. 'Your doctor will determine whether you would likely benefit from aspirin based on your risk factors such as age, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes history, as well as other factors like your family history,' says Dr, Lindley. 'Sometimes additional testing such as a coronary calcium score may be performed to help understand your risk for a heart attack.' A new study points out that genetic testing may also play a helpful role in determining whether certain patients can benefit the most from an aspirin regimen. Who should NOT take low-dose aspirin? Because aspirin is a blood thinner, anyone at higher risk for bleeding should not take it. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, you should refrain if: You already take blood thinners, or you take corticosteroids. (Check with your doctor regarding ALL medications you take to avoid any interactions!) You have or have had ulcers, GI bleeding or gastritis. You have kidney failure. You have serious liver disease. You have any bleeding disorder. You have any clotting disorder. 'If you have a history or increased risk of bleeding or frequent falls, it's crucial to discuss this with your physician to weigh the benefits against the bleeding risks,' says Bhavna Suri, M.D., a cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City. A recent Italian study found that NSAIDs like aspirin can irritate the GI tract, and that serious GI complications like bleeding, perforation and obstruction happens in 1 to 2% of users. Additional research has shown that low-dose aspirin may also increase the risk of bleeding in the brain. Do doctors prescribe low-dose aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke? As a rule, not for most people. 'It's important to know that routine use of aspirin for primary prevention of heart disease is no longer recommended,' says Dr. Tomey. 'By primary prevention, we mean preventing events like heart attack and stroke in individuals with no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Selectively, physicians may recommend use of low-dose aspirin for prevention in some people at higher than average risk, such as those who are found to have evidence of plaque in their arteries on a diagnostic test, but who have not yet experienced a clinical event.' Age is also a key factor. 'Currently, aspirin for primary prevention — meaning that you don't have known cardiovascular disease — is not recommended for patients over age 70, due to the increased risk of bleeding in older patients,' says Dr. Lindley. 'Also, it's not recommended for patients aged 40 to 69 who are considered low risk of heart attack, stroke and colorectal cancer, and patients under age 40 without known cardiovascular disease.' Should you take low-dose aspirin with food or drink? You don't have to, but it could make it easier for your body to digest the medication. 'Taking aspirin with food or drink helps protect your stomach lining by reducing irritation, acid reflux, ulceration and a higher risk of bleeding,' says Dr. Suri. 'A full glass of water also helps the tablet dissolve and be absorbed properly.' When's the best time to take low-dose aspirin? 'Through the years, there's been no clear evidence to date that a particular time of administration is superior for prevention of heart attack and stroke,' says Dr. Tomey. However, if your doctor gives you the green light for a daily low-dose aspirin, it's important to stick to a schedule. 'Try to be consistent and take it at the same time every day,' says Dr. Suri. Pair your aspirin with an 'automatic' daily activity, like brushing your teeth or sitting down to breakfast with the family, and the less likely you'll be to forget to take it. The bottom line If a low-dose aspirin regimen is right for you, follow your doctor's instructions to the letter and don't be afraid to ask questions. 'I encourage any patient who has been prescribed aspirin by a doctor to take a moment to learn about the reason for their aspirin prescription, and always to ask their doctor before starting or stopping aspirin therapy,' Dr. Tomey sums up. 'It can also be quite helpful to consult with a preventive cardiologist to take a broader, personalized look at options beyond aspirin.' The more you learn about other potential treatment strategies, the better you'll feel in every way. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study in JAMA Network Open Shows Current Approaches to Assessing Preeclampsia Risk Are Failing the Majority of Pregnant Moms
By relying on maternal characteristics and broad demographics, guidelines identify 9 out of 10 pregnancies at increased risk, resulting in ineffective preventive care SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new study sponsored by Mirvie, which is the first to evaluate U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for preeclampsia risk and aspirin prescription in a single, nationally representative, prospective population, found while high-risk factors had sufficient value in estimating risk, there's limited value for the moderate risk category - leading to nonspecific recommendations for aspirin use, a recognized prevention tool. This cohort study of 5684 participants, culled from the multi-center Miracle of Life prospective study, found the guidelines identified nearly 89% of pregnancies at increased risk of preeclampsia. 70.3% were in the moderate risk category, defined by maternal characteristics and broad demographics including age, body mass index, and race, while 18.5% were in the high risk category, which includes patients with conditions like chronic hypertension or prior history of preeclampsia. The study findings suggest that the murkiness of moderate risk factors may influence clinicians' decisions regarding daily aspirin recommendations. While 82% of women with a high risk factor were recommended daily aspirin, only 37% of those with one or more moderate risk factors were given this recommendation. USPSTF, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) all endorse guidance to consider or recommend starting aspirin between 12 to 28 weeks' gestation for pregnancies with moderate risk factors. "Identifying 9 out of 10 women as at risk is not helping and overburdens care teams and pregnant patients, too," said Dr. Thomas McElrath, vice president of clinical development at Mirvie and a practicing maternal-fetal medicine physician at Mass General Brigham, as well as lead author of the study. "Physicians may be reluctant to prescribe aspirin when the majority of their patients fall into the moderate risk category. This is compounded by less than 25% compliance with aspirin use by patients in the moderate risk category." Most pregnant women in the study (70.3%) fell into the moderate risk category using the USPSTF guidelines, but having one or more moderate risk factors and no high-risk factors were not predictive of preeclampsia risk. Among individuals with 2 or more moderate risk factors but without any high risk factor, nulliparity was associated with modestly increased risk of preeclampsia (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.35-1.62; P < .001); there was little or no association with obesity (RR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P = .048), Black race (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.80-1.14; P = .63), and advanced maternal age (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.96; P = .02). "Rates of preeclampsia in the US have doubled in the past 15 years and continue to rise with no end in sight," said Kara Boeldt, a preeclampsia survivor and Founder and Executive Director of "The introduction of the USPSTF guidelines in 2021 didn't do anything to reverse course on the rise of preeclampsia. This important and eye-opening study highlights that we need new approaches that can predict who's truly at risk for preeclampsia, which can be so dangerous for moms and their babies. This is why I am incredibly encouraged and excited by the innovation being led by companies like Mirvie, which can finally offer some pregnant women and their care teams a clear, personalized prediction of their preeclampsia risk with a simple blood test during pregnancy." "The findings of this important study confirm the need for clear, objective measures of preeclampsia risk prediction, to motivate preventive care," said Maneesh Jain, CEO and co-founder of Mirvie. "With innovation like Encompass™, we can now deliver preventive care to the right patients at the right time and impact rates of preterm birth." About the Miracle of Life study The Mirvie-sponsored Miracle of Life study examined nearly 11,000 pregnancies across the U.S., including 22,000 cell-free RNA transcripts per patient which resulted in 200 million data points overall, making it the largest study of molecular health in pregnancy of its kind. The landmark research study on pregnancy health, in collaboration with leading experts in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, uncovers how RNA messages present in expectant mothers' blood can predict life-threatening pregnancy complications. One area of study relates to cell-free RNA's prediction of preeclampsia months in advance, a leading cause of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. About Mirvie Mirvie is bringing scientifically rigorous and data-driven approaches to solving some of the most pressing clinical problems in women's health, beginning with pregnancy. Serious complications impact one in five pregnancies in the U.S., and Mirvie is committed to creating a world where every pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. Founded and led by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and scientists, the company is based in South San Francisco, California and backed by top-tier investors including Blackrock, Decheng Capital, Foresite Capital, General Catalyst, GV, Khosla Ventures, and Mayfield. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Press contact:Kate Enoskate@ Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Low aspirin dose 'reduces cancer risk in some patients', Newcastle University-led study says
A study to find the right dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of cancer in some patients has found the smallest amount works just as well as larger ones, according to a leading trial involved 1,879 people with Lynch syndrome who were given three different-sized doses of the Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said he would ask health regulators to formally advise a low dose of 75mg be prescribed to those with the genetic condition, which puts them at a greater cancer James, who has Lynch syndrome - and who has lost nearly all of his family to cancer - was the first person to sign up to the trial. He said the findings were "massively reassuring". The furniture maker, based in Newcastle, no longer has any family left alive in the UK."Quite a few members of my family have had cancer - like colorectal cancers, or endometrial," he explained."My grandfather had bladder cancer, my mum had a certain kind of cancer. When you start looking at the family tree - it becomes quite apparent what's going on. "We didn't actually know it was Lynch syndrome until 13 years ago, and that's when I learned about the aspirin trials." To try and stop himself from developing cancer, Mr James was the first person to sign up to the latest trial nearly 10 years Cancer Prevention Project 3 study (CaPP3), supported by Cancer Research UK, involved patients taking a different daily dose of aspirin: 100mg, 300mg or 600mg. In the trial, a European-sized dose of 100 mg aspirin was used. The established dose is 75mg per day in the UK, and 81mg in the was only at the end of the study that Mr James learned he had been put on a 300mg dose."The fact that I can now go down to a baby aspirin makes it feel less scary," he said. "I didn't have any major side effects - but it potentially reduces any."That the research has shown that taking an aspirin reduces your risk of getting a cancer if you have Lynch syndrome is massively reassuring for me - and my family." Optimal dose People with Lynch syndrome have inherited a faulty gene which can increase their chances of developing some cancers - including bowel and womb Burn, who was involved in discovering Lynch syndrome and who led the international study, said he focused his research on those patients "because they get so many cancers". "We already have NICE guidance saying people with Lynch syndrome should be recommended to take aspirin. Now we should recommend a baby aspirin." An earlier study led by Prof Burn found a protective effect in those taking 600mg of aspirin every day for just over two said the new results showed the lowest dose worked just as well as the larger doses."So what we can now say with statistical confidence is that the people taking a baby aspirin are as protected as the people taking two aspirins - but also much less likely to have side effects," he added. In some people, aspirin can cause bleeding, so Prof Burn said he wanted health regulators to now recommend the lowest dose be given to Lynch syndrome patients."Roughly speaking, if someone with Lynch syndrome has about a 2% a year chance of getting mostly bowel cancers, we think if they take aspirin, that is halved - down to about 1% a year," he explained. Prof Burn said the next big challenge was to find those who were unaware they even have Lynch said "about 150,000 patients in the UK" have the condition, but a small number are only tested when they realise cancer runs in their family."It was only when they get cancer in their 40s and 50s, and remember their auntie had cancer, and their granddad." NHS England said with only 5-10% of patients diagnosed, identifying more people with Lynch syndrome was a strategic priority. Once diagnosed, they can then be offered cancer screening and monitoring. Prof Burn said: "We can also put them on to a baby aspirin - and cut their risk." The findings of the study will be presented at the Cancer Prevention Research Conference, taking place in London from Wednesday, in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Huge boost in fight against colon cancer: Daily over-the-counter pill already in millions of medicine cabinets PREVENTS disease, study reveals
Taking a daily aspirin could help prevent bowel cancer in thousands of people at high risk, new research suggests. A major British study has found that even a low dose of the over-the-counter drug can halve the chances of developing the disease—offering protection with fewer side effects than previously thought. The findings are particularly important for people with Lynch syndrome—an inherited condition that affects about 175,000 people in the UK. It dramatically increases the lifetime risk of bowel cancer and other types of cancer. While the NHS already recommends aspirin for those with the condition, only around a quarter are currently taking it—often due to fears over side effects such as indigestion, ulcers and kidney problems. Researchers, led by Professor Sir John Burn of Newcastle University and funded by Cancer Research UK, found that a daily dose as low as 75 to 100mg—commonly known as 'baby aspirin'—was just as effective as the 600mg dose used in previous studies. 'The trial now tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection,' said Professor Burn. He added: 'Too many people are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' Lynch syndrome is thought to be responsible for around three per cent of bowel cancer cases in the UK. People with the condition are also more likely to be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50. As well as bowel cancer, Lynch syndrome also significantly increases the risk of other cancers—including womb, ovarian and prostate cancer. One of those to benefit from the trial is Nick James, 46, who discovered he had the condition after undergoing genetic testing. 'Finding out I had a faulty gene that causes Lynch syndrome was extremely daunting,' he said. 'But taking part in this trial has given me hope that there's something that can reduce the chances of me and others developing cancer. Following the results, experts are now calling on the NHS to update its guidelines so more people at risk can benefit from the protective effects of aspirin. Professor Sir Burn said: 'We're now engaging with the regulators to change prescribing guidelines so that aspirin can be used more widely for people with a high risk of bowel cancer. 'We have a chance to give more people with Lynch syndrome protection which would reduce their fear of bowel cancer in the future.' Bowel cancer is on the rise in younger adults, even as rates fall among older generations. People born in 1990 are three times more likely to develop bowel cancer than those born in the 1950s, according to global research. In the UK, the disease kills nearly 17,000 people a year. While the vast majority of cases still occur in over-50s, around five per cent now affect adults aged 25 to 49—and that figure is steadily climbing. The main symptoms include changes in toilet habits, such as softer stools, diarrhoea or constipation. Going more or less often than usual, blood in the stool, or a feeling that you still need to go even after just going, can also be warning signs. Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable. Known risk factors include a diet low in fibre, eating too much red or processed meat, and obesity.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Aspirin could be prescribed to prevent bowel cancer for those in high-risk group
ASPIRIN could be prescribed to try to prevent bowel cancer for those in a high-risk group. A Cancer Research UK study found a small daily dose offers protection for people with Lynch syndrome. More than half of people with the genetic condition develop bowel cancer at some point in their life. Experts will apply for a prescription license to give 'baby' 75mg pills to the nearly 200,000 Brits with Lynch syndrome. CRUK said fewer than half of GPs knew they should prescribe aspirin to Lynch syndrome patients and many were worried about the dose size. The trial found a much smaller dose than the previously recommended 600mg would work, reducing the risk of side effects. Professor Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said: 'This tells us that aspirin can prevent bowel cancer at lower doses, minimising the chances of side-effects whilst offering vital protection for people with Lynch syndrome. 'Only a quarter of people with Lynch syndrome are currently taking aspirin and too many are missing out on a potentially life-changing opportunity to prevent cancer.' Lynch syndrome is estimated to cause about one in every 33 bowel cancer cases in the UK. Bowel tumours are one of the most common types, with 44,000 cases per year and 17,000 deaths. The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it's 'too late' - as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed 1 What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
