According to a review of six previous studies involving 95,000 men and women in the Jan. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at the State University of New York in Stony Brook and other healthcare centers linked aspirin use to a 12% reduction in cardiovascular problems in women and a 17% reduction in strokes. For men in the study, aspirin use translated to a 14% reduction in cardiovascular problems, and a 32% reduction in heart attacks.

However, aspirins also was linked to a 70% increase in the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding in both men and women. Researchers caution that people and doctors should weigh the benefits and risks of taking aspirin regularly before starting on such a regimen.

The review seemingly clears up confusion over whether aspirin actually protects women, and whether aspirin regimens could actually lower the risks of people having first heart attacks and strokes.

"This is good news because many of the past studies of the effect of aspirin in preventing cardiovascular events looked only at men, so physicians were reluctant to prescribe aspirin for women because there was little data," said Dr. Jeffrey Berger, a cardiologist at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and a study co-author. "But now, the combined data of recent trials involving women demonstrates that women can benefit just as much from aspirin therapy as men."

The study involved primary prevention of cardiovascular problems in 51,000 women and 44,000 men. During the past 17 years, they took doses ranging from 500 milligrams a day to as little as 100 milligrams every other day. Usually, doctors recommend a daily baby aspirin of 81 milligrams to protect the heart.

Despite the differences in the way aspirin protects the cardiovascular system of men and women, the small number of strokes occurring in men and heart attacks occurring in women proved difficult for researchers to determine whether men and women differ in their physical responses to aspirin, the authors said.

Source: Nubella News
Posted By: Steve Smith
Reference: Journal of the American Medical Association
Website:Â www.nubella.com

This summary by Nubella News is a snapshot of a larger, more detailed study and/or research project. Nubella News encourages all site visitors and readers interested in understanding the material contained within this article at a more detailed level, to perform additional research and investigation into the article topics, references, and any links provided within the material. Nubella News does not intend to offer medical advice. We recommend that all readers ask their doctor or medical professional for additional advice, guidance, and/or recommendations pertaining to this article.