Truth about taking aspirin

The recent news about who should and who shouldn’t take a daily aspirin has caused confusion. The correct answer is: It depends on your health and why you are taking aspirin. So let us break it down, so you can talk to your doctor.

New Recommendations on Aspirin and Heart Disease Prevention

It turns out some folks do not need to and should not take a daily aspirin to prevent heart disease. That’s:

— Anyone 70+ who does NOT have existing cardiovascular disease.

— Anyone with an increased bleeding risk because of other medications or conditions such as an ulcer, or who does extreme sports or doesn’t use a car seatbelt or wear a helmet.

— Folks under 70, on an individual basis, whose risk of heart disease is low or moderate. Turns out individual bleeding risks vary widely, and that’s why for these folks it’s a case-by-case decision made with their doctor.

So who should be taking aspirin for heart disease?

If you are at high risk for heart disease or have already had a heart attack, severe angina or a stroke, aspirin’s benefits can save your life!

Who should be taking aspirin for other reasons?

Aspirin is not only effective in slashing the risk for a second heart attack or stroke, it also reduces by more than 20% the risk of colorectal, esophageal, stomach, breast, liver and pancreatic cancer, as well as blood cell cancers. There are ways to reduce the internal bleeding risks associated with taking daily aspirin: A 2018 study that looked at more than 600,000 folks for up to 14 years found daily low-dose aspirin significantly reduces the risk of colon cancer and the increased gastrointestinal bleeding risks can be reduced with the use of medicines that suppress stomach acid. (Hey, drink that warm beverage before and after taking it, too.)

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare. com.