In the media, daily aspirin – not work the risk

Some of our staff have been read about aspirin in the media. The article in the Telegraph is entitled Daily aspirin ‘not worth the risk’ So what are the facts? This post gives you more information.

What are the risks and benefits of Aspirin

Aspirin slows the ability of the blood to form clots. This means it can reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots causing heart attacks and strokes. However, it also increases the risk of serious bleeding, such as bleeding of blood vessels in the brain or gut.

If you have already had a heart attack or stroke then benefits of daily low-dose aspirin out weighs the risk of bleeding. So doctor may prescribe aspirin or a similar medicine to reduce your risk of recurrence. It is a good idea to check with our GP as aspirin can interact with other medicines.

If you are healthy though, the picture is less clear. In the UK, people are not advised to take aspirin in the hope of preventing a first heart attack or stroke.

Where did this media story come from?

The recent study that was reported in the media, came from the Journal of the American Medical Association. The results suggest people should continue to follow UK guidelines and only take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke if their doctor has recommended it. You can find more information on the NHS website

What can you do if you are concerned?

If you are concerned call into one of our pharmacies for advice. One of our pharmacists can go through your prescribed and over the counter medicines to give advice that is specific to you. We are always happy to discuss any concerns that you have about any of your medicines.