What you need to know about the latest guidelines for heart attack and stroke prevention.
For years, taking a daily low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart attack and stroke has been a widely accepted practice. But the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently issued updated guidelines recommending against its use in certain patients for primary prevention of heart disease. Here, cardiologist Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, Co-Director of Sports Cardiology at RWJBarnabas Health, Co-Medical Director of the Cardiac Care Unit at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, explains.
How are the new guidelines different from the previous guidelines?
The 2022 guidelines state that using aspirin in select 40- to 59-year-olds may have some benefit in preventing heart disease, but it is not recommended for people aged 60 and older.
This is a big change from the 2016 guidelines, which recommended using aspirin for primary prevention in adults aged 50 to 59 who were at risk for cardiovascular disease, and to consider its use for certain adults aged 60 to 69 who were at risk for cardiovascular disease.
What prompted these new recommendations?
Older trials of aspirin use for primary prevention showed benefits—for example, reduction in heart attacks. However, more recent studies did not show a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease. In addition, many of these trials also showed significant risk of internal bleeding among those taking daily aspirin. Given these findings, the recommendations changed.
Are there exceptions to the new guidelines?
It’s very important to remember that these recommendations don’t pertain to patients with a prior history of heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery or a recent stent procedure. If someone has that history, it’s generally beneficial to take a low-dose daily aspirin as it helps reduce the risk of recurrent cardiac disease or events.
If someone has been following a low-dose aspirin regimen for years, what should they do?
In that case, it’s important that they speak to their doctor or health care provider before making any changes. All of the risks and benefits should be weighed prior to stopping aspirin. Most of the time when aspirin is to be stopped, it’s OK to simply stop; a stepdown approach isn’t needed.
How will the new guidelines change your recommendations to patients?
I feel that most of the latest evidence is in support of the new guideline recommendations.
Each patient is unique, and when recommending to either use or not use aspirin for primary prevention of heart disease, the risks and benefits should be discussed and weighed by doctor and patient to make an individualized plan.
Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you. To connect with a top cardiovascular specialist at RWJBarnabas Health, call 888-724-7123.