Aspirin update

For all of you whom have loved ones on Aspirin like I do.  Here's the latest and greatest...

Recommendations for Aspirin Use Updated

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued an update to its recommendations for use of aspirin as a cardiovascular disease prophylaxis. According to the recommendations, published in the March 17, 2009, Annals of Internal Medicine , physicians should consider prescribing low-dose aspirin, about 75 mg per day, for men age 45 to 79 who are at risk for heart attack and for women age 55 to 79 who are at risk for stroke. USPSTF notes that the low-dose seems just as effective as higher doses but poses less of a bleeding risk. USPSTF advises physicians considering recommending aspirin use for patients to consider risk factors such as age, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking habits, and the guidelines target patients whose heart attack or stroke risks outweigh their risks of gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, the guidelines do not encourage the use of aspirin in women under age 55 or men under age 45.