Can Aspirin Really Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Healthy Older Adults? Paragraph 1: Introduction Many middle-aged and elderly individuals believe that taking a daily dose of aspirin can not only soften their blood vessels but also prevent cardiovascular disease and extend their lifespan. Paragraph 2: The Benefits and Uses of Aspirin Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the oldest and most widely used drugs in the world.

It has various effects, such as anti-thrombotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and reducing the risk of heart attacks. It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, Kawasaki disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and pre-eclampsia.

Paragraph 3: The Risks of Misusing Aspirin Many middle-aged and elderly people take aspirin daily, believing it can soften blood vessels and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

However, studies have shown that for individuals at moderate risk of cardiovascular diseases or those with diabetes, taking aspirin for prevention has little benefit. Although it reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by 11%, the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and brain increases by 43%.

Paragraph 4: Recommendations for Aspirin Use The US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend aspirin for primary prevention in individuals over 60 years old. The benefits of taking aspirin at this age are limited, while the risk of bleeding increases. However, individuals with cardiovascular diseases and no contraindications may take aspirin under medical guidance to prevent blood clots and cardiovascular events.

Paragraph 5: The Optimal Dose of Aspirin for Older Adults A study conducted on older adults found that a daily dose of 50mg of aspirin is a safe and effective dosage for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

This dose has a lower risk of bleeding compared to a higher dosage. Paragraph 6: Individualized Decision Making for Aspirin Use Whether older adults need to take aspirin to prevent cardiovascular diseases depends on their age, health condition, and medical history.

Those diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke, severe carotid stenosis, or other specific conditions should take aspirin.

For individuals without these diseases but with risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, obesity, and family history, the decision should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional. Changing unhealthy lifestyles may be sufficient for individuals under 40 years old.

Paragraph 7: Potential Drug Interactions Taking aspirin with certain medications can have adverse effects on health.

For example, combining aspirin with ibuprofen reduces its effectiveness by 90%, and combining it with corticosteroids increases the risk of gastric damage. Combining aspirin with certain anti-gout medications can diminish their effectiveness, and combining aspirin with antidiabetic drugs can increase the risk of low blood sugar levels.

Conclusion: It is essential to follow medical advice when taking any medication, including aspirin. Blindly using medications without proper guidance can lead to harmful effects. The saying "every medicine has three doses of poison" is scientifically supported, emphasizing the importance of responsible medication use.