Recent updates have led to confusion among healthcare providers and patients alike about the use of aspirin for cardiovascular prevention.
Some people take aspirin because they’ve already had a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or clot-related (ischemic) stroke. This is known as secondary prevention. In the U.S., aspirin is indicated for secondary prevention.
For these people, who are at higher risk of having another event, aspirin could be a life-saving preventative treatment. Nearly 1 in 3 people who have had a heart attack will have another. The risk increases to more than 1 in 4 for another ischemic stroke.
Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.
