For many years physicians have encouraged patients to take a low dose (81mg) aspirin to help prevent cardiovascular problems.  But that may all be changing, and some new guidelines may replace the old after a new study in the United Kingdom found evidence suggesting the benefit may not be worth the risk for some groups of people.

Aspirin can thin the blood and help prevent clots, and is generally accepted as safe in small amounts daily.  But there are risks with this over-the-counter medication, including gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and a small risk for bleeding in the brain.  Along with these side effects, the study done in the United Kingdom suggests that diabetic people taking low dose aspirin daily who have never had a cardiac event were just as likely to have an event when compared with patients who were not taking daily aspirin therapy.
As stated on CNN Health, Dr. Steven E. Nissen from the Cleveland Clinic states “If you have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, or a history of coronary artery disease, the benefits of daily aspirin therapy do outweigh the risks.”

Often times when people see the potential negative associations with a medicine, either they are scared off or a productive conversation with a healthcare professional ensues.  The message is not to scare anyone currently taking aspirin, but rather to talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional about its use.  Like any medication, it is a great thing if used correctly.  If, however, its not ruled by your doctor for the benefit to be worth the risk, it might cut down on potential side effects and save you some money in the process!

For more information, click the link below to read the full article on CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/04/aspirin.risk.heart.attacks/index.html