Aspirin should not be routinely used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease

The investigators who authored this report concluded that aspirin "should not be routinely initiated" for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, and its use should be reviewed for patients already taking aspirin. After analyzing a number of studies they conclude that the evidence "does not justify the routine use of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of [cardiovascular disease] in apparently healthy individuals, including those with elevated blood pressure or diabetes...there have been doubts about whether any benefits of aspirin...outweigh the risks (e.g. the fact that long-term low-dose aspirin therapy almost doubles the likelihood of gastrointestinal haemorrhage)." There are excellent alternatives to aspirin for preventing too much blood clotting and reducing inflammation.