MDNews - San Antonio

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THAT'SNEWS Routine Aspirin Intake More Likely to Harm Than Benefit A RECENT UK study, thought to be the largest ever to look at the effects of aspirin in people with no history of cardiovascular disease, has revealed that regular aspirin intake is more likely to harm than benefit healthy individuals. The study's senior author, Kausik Ray, profes- sor of cardiovascular disease prevention at St George's University of London, and colleagues analyzed data from nine clinical trials, which included more than 100,000 individuals. Half of those participants took aspirin for an average of six years, while the other half took a placebo. Researchers discovered that while aspirin taken daily or every other day reduced the risk of total cardiovascular disease events by 10%, the benefit was outweighed by the 30% increase in the risk of potentially fatal or debilitating internal bleeding. One in 73 study participants developed significant internal bleeding, while only one cardiovascular disease was prevented for every 120 people. Routine aspirin regimens are commonly used as a secondary prevention measure against heart attack or stroke in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. However, researchers concluded that routine aspirin use is "not warranted in patients with no history, and treatment decisions should be considered carefully on a case-by-case basis." ■ ADVERTISERS' INDEX Amegy Bank of Texas .............................13 Bjorn's ......................... Inside Front Cover The Broadway San Antonio .......................Back Cover ProAssurance ............................................13 Ristorante Paesanos ...............................17 South Texas Radiology ..........................15 Strasburger Price Oppenheimer Blend .........................15 Texas Health Steps ...................................5 Texas Medical Association............ Inside Back Cover UT Health Science Center .....................18

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