Ohio - For decades the advice was given to take a daily baby aspirin to help prevent a heart attack for people over 45, even if they never had heart issues.

Now there are new guidelines or recommendations given by the United States Preventative Task Force.

Cardiologists tell 21 News a low dose, or baby aspirin can be helpful to some people according to newer research, however it can be harmful to some people.

Dr. Justin Dunn, Cardiologist in Akron, and Past President of the American Heart Association said, "Aspirin in the past has often been prescribed in patients to try and prevent the first episode, now with some new studies coming out and new guidelines coming out, different organizations are recommending against aspirin as a primary prevention in most patients."

"Patients who have had a heart attack or stroke in the past who have known heart disease, stents, have bypass surgery, they do still benefit from aspirin," added Dr. Dunn.

Dr. Rami Kafa, an Intervention Cardiologist with Bon Secours Mercy Health emphasized, "This has changed through my training.  The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends above age 60 or 70 to prevent heart attacks or stroke aspirin is not beneficial as it's balanced by a significant risk of bleeding. "

"Above 60 or 70 years of age if you have not had any heart attack or stroke, using aspirin as a preventative most of the time is not justified. People who are younger than 40 to 60 or 40 to 70 years of age then it should be a discussion between a patient and their primary care doctor and their cardiologist," added Kafa.

Dr. Dunn added, "Anytime anyone has internal bleeding there are potential consequences such as dropping blood count, they could become light-headed, they could pass out, they could lose enough blood where it could potentially be fatal. In cases where patients bleed into their head or brain, it could cause fatal hemorrhagic stroke."

"It's important for patients to follow their clinician primary care doctor, their cardiologist, their neurologist, etc." aid Dunn. I don't want people to read this news story and go out and stop their aspirin on their own. It's a decision that should be made by the patient and his or her physician." said Dunn.

Dunn told WFMJ News the best way to prevent a heart attack or stroke is to prevent heart disease by living a healthy lifestyle. Avoid cigarettes and tobacco use, eating healthy, and aerobic exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day, after consulting with your physician. Statin's medications are also helpful in certain populations.

Dr. Kafa added, "If you feel severe chest pain or have other symptoms of a heart attack almost everyone taking four baby aspirins when you are calling 911, or while your waiting for the ambulance is almost universally useful, the chance of harm from that is very minimal compared with the benefit."

 

Doctors say don't stop taking medication or low dose aspirin if your doctor prescribed it for you, until after you consult with your physicians.