A recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania reveals that 22% of people aged 60 and older take daily low-dose aspirin despite having no personal or family history of heart attack or stroke. This finding comes amid evolving guidelines from health authorities advising against such preventive measures for this age group. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that individuals in their 60s and beyond should not use low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events.
The survey, directed by Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, highlights gaps in public knowledge regarding aspirin use. Nearly half of the adults surveyed mistakenly believe that the benefits of taking daily low-dose aspirin to reduce heart attack or stroke risks outweigh the associated risks. These misconceptions persist even though the American College of Cardiology warned in 2019 about the bleeding risks linked to preventive aspirin use, a warning echoed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2022.
While recommendations for aspirin use have shifted over the past five years, a significant portion of the population remains unaware or unconvinced. About 18% of people continue to take preventive low-dose aspirin despite no history of cardiovascular events in themselves or their families. Additionally, more than half of those using aspirin for prevention do so "basically every day," indicating a strong adherence to outdated practices.
"Habits backed by conventional wisdom and the past advice of health care providers are hard to break." – Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD
For younger adults aged 40 to 59, the guidelines are more nuanced. Those with a 10% or greater risk of developing heart or blood vessel disease within a decade may still consider low-dose aspirin for prevention. However, these individuals are advised to consult with healthcare providers to weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
The disconnect between scientific recommendations and public behavior underscores a broader issue in healthcare: the slow integration of new scientific discoveries into clinical practice. On average, it takes 17 years for just 14% of new scientific findings to become part of routine medical care. This delay can lead to continued reliance on outdated practices and prevent individuals from making informed health decisions.
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