Michigan Medicine study finds some adults don’t consult their physicians before taking aspirin for CVD prevention

Many older adults are using aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) without consulting their primary care physicians, according to a new Michigan Medicine study reported on by Noah Fromson.

Key findings from ‘Patient use and perceptions of primary prevention aspirin in the United States:’

·       Aspirin is used as about 1 in 6 older adults’ main preventative care method for CVD.

·       About 25% of adults aged 50 to 80 years did not receive guidance from their doctors before beginning aspirin.

·       The researchers found a connection between taking aspirin as a preventative method and gender/income.

·       Over one fourth of participants think aspirin also decreases dementia risk.

·       Adults using aspirin might not be aware of the risks.