Taking a small dose of aspirin regularly, every day, when it is not justified, could do more harm than good, according to an English study. What are we exposed to? Quite simply, to internal bleeding, for example in the stomach, eye or even intracerebral. The study which has just shown, covers nearly 100,000 people and shows a 30% higher risk of bleeding endangering the patient’s life.
But why take aspirin apart from a headache or a small fever?
Indeed, aspirin remains a very good drug to fight against fever when it is given in relatively high dose. But here I am telling you about another effect of aspirin, when it is given regularly in low doses, at 75 mg. It thins the blood and therefore prevents the formation of clots in the arteries. It is therefore prescribed regularly for people who have already had a problem such as angina, a heart attack, a stent or a stroke. And its benefits in this case are indisputable. Hence the tempting idea of anticipating and preventing these incidents in those who have never done so.
And we could thus play on two tables because aspirin has also shown anti-cancer effects?
Indeed, one has the impression that aspirin, which is more than a century old, is the universal panacea: excellent studies give it a protective effect on colon, prostate or lung cancers; some even mentioned Alzheimer’s disease. But the results which have just appeared, call everything into question: the risk of serious bleeding is too great compared to the benefits which have nevertheless been demonstrated.
So you should only take aspirin for the prevention of heart problems if it is really needed!
Yes, aspirin is great when you’ve had cardiovascular problems, but that’s it. We know: the best is the enemy of the good! And to prevent cardiovascular accidents in those who have not yet had one, there are other means, which have been proven: a balanced diet and regular physical activity. But that’s more difficult to do than swallow a single pill!
To know more
Reference: Effect of Aspirin on Vascular and Nonvascular Outcomes: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Arch Intern Med, Jan 2012; doi: 10.1001 / archinternmed.2011.628
.