Low-dose aspirin can pose dangers
To Your Good Health
DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I are both healthy and in our 70s. At 5 feet, 9 inches tall, we are both at a reasonable weight. Our yearly blood panels always come back with good results. We both take Lipitor. We play pickleball, walk and ride bikes on a regular basis. We don’t smoke and enjoy wine in moderation. There is no history on either side of our families of heart disease.
Our question is this: For about two decades, our primary care provider had us take daily low-dose aspirin. He recently retired and sold his practice. Now our new practitioner has recommended that we no longer need to take the daily aspirin as the medical opinions regarding its use has changed. What are your thoughts regarding low-dose aspirin?
• R.Y.
ANSWER: The consensus on the use of aspirin to prevent heart disease has changed with the publication of new studies. We have long known that aspirin reduces heart disease risk but also raises the risk of serious bleeding. For many years, the data supported the use of aspirin in prevention for men who are at a moderate risk.
However, three large trials were published in 2018 showing that aspirin probably causes significant bleeding more than it prevents heart attacks in most people without known heart disease. In your specific age group of over 70, the only randomized trial showed that aspirin did not reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or death but did increase the risk of serious bleeding. Your new practitioner is following evidence-based guidelines about aspirin.
DEAR DR. ROACH: What causes the common cold?
• A.M.H.
ANSWER: Viruses cause the common cold, but there are many viruses that can do so. The most common are the human rhinoviruses, which account for over half of colds. Non-COVID coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses may all cause an illness that looks and feels exactly like a cold.
Even though influenza and a cold can usually be told apart, sometimes young, healthy people can have a flu that seems like a cold. This is why it’s important to stay away from people when you have a cold as you might be spreading something that can be quite serious to a person who is older, has a chronic illness or has something wrong with their immune system.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
North America Syndicate Inc.