For healthy adults aged 70 or older without heart disease, taking a low dose of aspirin every day does not reduce the risk of serious heart problems over time, even though there was a small temporary...

We analyzed the available evidence on daily low-dose aspirin for healthy adults over 70, and what we’ve found so far suggests it does not reduce the risk of serious heart problems over time, even though there was a small, temporary drop in events while people were taking it [1]. The evidence we’ve reviewed includes 74 studies or assertions that support this finding, with none that contradict it. This means that while some people may see a brief reduction in heart-related events during the first months or years of use, that benefit doesn’t last. Over the long term, the risk of serious heart issues — like heart attack or stroke — doesn’t appear to go down in people who are otherwise healthy and over 70. The temporary effect may be due to aspirin’s blood-thinning properties, but it doesn’t translate into lasting protection. We also note that this analysis focuses only on healthy adults without existing heart disease. The results don’t apply to those already diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions. The evidence doesn’t show that aspirin causes harm in this group, but it also doesn’t show a meaningful, lasting benefit. For someone over 70 who is healthy and considering daily aspirin to protect their heart, the current evidence suggests it’s unlikely to provide the protection they’re hoping for. The decision to take it should consider other factors like bleeding risk, personal health history, and guidance from a healthcare provider — not just the hope of preventing heart problems.