Despite research that links aspirin's use to lower cancer and cardiovascular incidences, aspirin should not be seen as an easy, over-the-counter option for disease prevention for the general public, according to the Dayton Daily News.
Here are four things to know:
1. A recent FDA ruling said aspirin is not a safe and effective treatment for patients who have certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease but have not yet developed it.
2. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found more than 10 percent of patients in the United States are receiving low-dose daily aspirin to prevent a first-time heart attack.
3. Eddie Davenport, MD, a cardiologist with Miami Valley Cardiologists said taking medication to prevent the first occurrence of disease is known as primary prevention, which is something that shouldn't always apply to aspirin.
4. Recommendations now focus on the use of aspirin solely for those who have cardiovascular disease.
