Research Confirms Daily Aspirin Offers No Long-Term Heart Disease Prevention in Older Adults

Recent research led by Monash University has reaffirmed earlier findings that daily low-dose aspirin does not provide cardiovascular benefits for healthy older adults and increases the risk of serious bleeding. The study analyzed data from 15,668 individuals, mostly aged 70 and above, who participated in the ASPREE clinical trial and its extended follow-up. Participants who took aspirin showed no overall reduction in cardiovascular events over more than eight years of follow-up, which combined the original trial period and subsequent monitoring. Conversely, these individuals experienced a 17% increase in major hemorrhages compared to those who received a placebo.

The research, published in the European Heart Journal, examined participants who initially had no history of cardiovascular disease, dementia, or physical disabilities affecting independence. The original ASPREE trial, conducted from 2018, involved 4.7 years of initial observation comparing aspirin to placebo, followed by an extension of over four years. During this extended period, authors observed that aspirin users did not gain cardiovascular protection but faced significantly higher risks of bleeding complications.

Professor Rory Wolfe, the lead author, noted that unexpectedly, post-trial results indicated a 17% increase in adverse cardiovascular events among aspirin users. He emphasized that these findings suggest regular aspirin use for primary prevention in healthy older adults should be reconsidered, and individuals should consult their healthcare providers about discontinuing the medication. However, for those with prior cardiovascular events taking aspirin for secondary prevention, continued use may still be appropriate.

The study highlights the importance for older adults and clinicians to carefully evaluate the benefits and risks of daily aspirin therapy, especially given the increased likelihood of bleeding without proven long-term heart health advantages.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-aspirin-daily-term-cardiovascular-events.html