Warning over daily use of common drug that could cause internal bleeding

DOCTORS have warned against people over 60 taking a daily dose of aspirin.

It has been traditionally taken each day to slash the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

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But a panel of top medics in the US this week changed their advice for older people.

They warned it could raise the risk of internal bleeding.

The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) also said 40-59 year olds should only take aspirin daily if they are at genetic risk of heart disease.

Those over 75 should not take it because there is little benefit in older age.

Dr Michael Barry, USPTF’s vice-chair and professor of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, told ABC News: “Based on current evidence, the task force recommends against people 60 and older starting to take aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.

“Because the chance of internal bleeding increases with age, the potential harms of aspirin use cancel out the benefits in this age group.”

The new guidance is only for patients starting up a course of aspirin.

Anyone on it already should continue, and not stop unless they have talked to their doctor.

A UK study from 2019 found it can raise the risk of deadly bleeds by nearly 50 per cent.

King’s College London researchers found taking it as a preventative treatment does help cut deadly cardiac events by 11 per cent.

But it caused risk of major bleeding events to rocket by 43 per cent, meaning one in 200 people treated with aspirin suffered a serious bleed.

The 2p-a-day painkiller is thought to make the blood less sticky.

Lead researcher, Dr Sean Zheng, said: “There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine aspirin use in the prevention of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths in people without cardiovascular disease.

“This study shows that while cardiovascular events may be reduced in these patients, these benefits are matched by an increased risk of major bleeding events.

“Aspirin use requires discussion between the patient and their physician, with the knowledge that any small potential cardiovascular benefits are weighed up against the real risk of severe bleeding.”

Doctors recommend some people take a low dose of aspirin every day to prevent heart attacks and stroke.

The painkiller is also thought to reduce the risk of breast, colon, prostate and gastric cancers.