Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
Caution: 1 in 10 Take Aspirin When They Shouldn’t (Warn your Family and Friends)
I have written about how aspirin is no longer recommended as first-line therapy to prevent A-Fib stroke. (See my Update: Aspirin No Longer Recommended as First-Line Therapy for Stroke Prevention.).
But it’s not just A-Fib patients who shouldn’t be on aspirin therapy for stroke prevention.
Data indicates more than 1 in 10 adults take aspirin when they shouldn’t.
Warn your family and friends who are taking daily aspirin: Maybe they shouldn’t be.
Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is a pharmaceutical drug
50 Million in the US Take Aspirin for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
The problem with routinely taking aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is an increased risk of bleeding complications. More than one-third of all adults in the U.S. are now taking aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
“Primary” means preventing a first event like a heart attack. “Secondary” means preventing a reoccurrence of an event, like a second stroke.
When Aspirin Therapy Is Appropriate
As a “primary” prevention, only patients with a moderate to high 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke should be on aspirin therapy (estimated using the ACC/AHA risk-prediction calculator or similar calculator).
Aspirin is recommended for “secondary” prevention.
When Aspirin Therapy Is Not Appropriate
Aspirin is not appropriate for adults who are at low risk of cardiovascular disease—defined by their 10-year stroke risk score. For these adults, the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic strokes outweigh any potential benefit.
“Among the more than 16,000 deaths each year linked to bleeding… about one-third of these deaths occur in those who take low-dose (81-mg) aspirin.” The 2014 an FDA statement warned against widespread use of aspirin in adults of average risk.
Aspirin is a Drug, Just Like Other Blood Thinners
It’s all too easy to take an aspirin―we don’t need a prescription to get it. But taking an aspirin isn’t like taking a vitamin. Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a pharmaceutical drug.
Warn Loved Ones Taking Daily Aspirin
Maybe they shouldn’t be! Instead of routinely taking aspirin, adults should discuss aspirin therapy with their doctor just as they’d do for any ‘by prescription’ blood thinner. (Hint: Take along a copy of this post.)
Caution: Suddenly stopping daily aspirin therapy could have a rebound effect that may trigger a blood clot. It’s important to talk to your doctor before making any changes.
