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TAKING ASPIRIN MAY not reduce the risk of having recurrent heart attacks for some, according to an Irish study.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s (IHF) National Cardiovascular & Stroke Research Network found that taking the drug as a preventative medicine, as it is commonly used, was ineffective in one in five cases.
Of the 700 patients studied, the drug tended to be most ineffective for men in their forties with a history of diabetes or high blood pressure, who were obese, or had high levels of alcohol consumption.
However, the IHF said that further research is needed to conclude whether these findings “amount to an adherence issue or a pharmacological resistance to aspirin”.
Aspirin is frequently used an “inexpensive but effective” treatment for heart problems, as it can decrease the chance of developing a blood clot and reduce the damage to the heart caused during an attack. It is also said to reduce heart disease mortality rates by 25 per cent.
Preliminary results from this study released last year suggested that up to 400 deaths per year are caused by this ineffective use of the drug.
This study was conducted across eight Irish hospitals. Previous studies elsewhere have shown a wide range of uses for the drug, including the treatment and prevention of cancer.
80% effective being the silver lining. That’s still rather good.
Yeah was thinking the same Simon hardly a failure
Its how you say it isn’t it. Come on Journal, don’t spin the words to make a story, we’re not thick.
Hi John. There’s no spin here. Aspirin appears to work for 80% of people who take it to prevent having further heart attacks. If it doesn’t work for 20%, it’s important to know as they will need to try something else.
Fair enough, being informed of a potential issue is important.
“Results showed a significant exponential decline in the risk with increasing intake of NSAIDs (primarily aspirin or ibuprofen) for 7-10 malignancies including the four major types: colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Daily intake of NSAIDs, primarily aspirin, produced risk reductions of 63% for colon, 39% for breast, 36% for lung, and 39% for prostate cancer. Significant risk reductions were also observed for esophageal (73%), stomach (62%), and ovarian cancer (47%). NSAID effects became apparent after five or more years of use and were stronger with longer duration. ”
Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention: A critical review of non-selective COX-2 blockade (Review)
Authors: Randall E. Harris, Joanne Beebe-Donk, Hani Doss, Deborah Burr Doss
View Affiliations
Published on: 01 April 2005
Pages: 559-583
Why are the IHF carrying out this research ? It’s already been done in UK and elsewhere. There was even a review of it in a BBC2 programme last week.
IHF could use their funds more wisely, I think.
So what the study shows is that it’s effective for 4 out of 5 people, I see that as a huge positive.
This is seriously irresponsible reporting by the Journal staff.
I think you’ve managed to demonstrate your inability to read a research paper.
The group noted to have the least benefit have the greatest number of confounding factors. Hardly surprising . Yet your tag line could lead to poor adherence to medication to people who really need it. I really feel the headline needs correction and the journal needs to review their policy on how medical stories are reported.
Hi Paul. The figures were not skewed by TheJournal.ie, that is how the Irish Heart Foundation are presenting their findings.
As I explained to another commenter, the point is that aspirin appears to work for 80% of people who take it to prevent having further heart attacks. If it doesn’t work for 20%, it’s important to know as they will need to try something else.
In fairness Nicky the report on the IHF website is from October 2012 and doesn’t represent news.
The conclusion you draw is likely incorrect…that maybe these people should “try something else”…perhaps they should address their “independent risk factors”.
My point is if you don’t actually know what the conclusion of the of a report is you shouldn’t be using it to advise anyone.
You misread, that article on their site is a preliminary report. This year’s final report has yet to be released fully to the public. I am not advising, I am reporting, my explanation to some commenters is not to be taken as medical advice, needless to say. Thanks for your feedback.
The report you linked is to the preliminary report in 2012. I think it would be fair to say that is the topic under discussion and unfair to say I misread anything.
I do genuinely think the journal would need to reflect on how articles like this are reported. Let’s leave it at that.
It is important for this information to be dispensed and a awareness of the benefits of cheap preventative steps that we can take to stay healthy be spread to as many people as possible. The discussion above has pointed to the flaws in the report so at least someone is paying attention.
I meant of course the Heart Foundation report which is misleading and might put people off taking aspirin which has been proven to be a life-saver.
Taking aspirin every day may not reduce the risk of heart attacks but people should be aware that eating takeaways every day increases the risk, take the C of chips what do get?? Im just sayin
Aspirin. It’s amazing what some drugs can actually do – especially when they do things they weren’t designed for.
Another potential wonder drug, been around since the 60′s and so it out of patent and cheap, is Baclofen. A few years back it was hitting the headlines as possibly the greatest {accidental} discovery of the century where addiction is concerned. Interesting times.
Interesting. Did not know that about Baclofen. Baclofen itself is a bit of a difficult one to stop taking – has to be reduced slowly, causes anxiety, etc
Well…yeah?
When they have diabetes, blood pressure, alcoholism and obesity.
Or any combination of the above, what else is to be expected really?
Is aspirin not a wonder cure all.
Stops you getting a horn as well, apparently…
You’re getting mistaken with beta blockers my friend.! And in that cohort of patients being impotent is usually down to peripheral vascular disease, which goes hand in hand with heart disease.
I thought it was aspirin’s blood thinning properties that prevented any erectification though…?
No it’s the beta antagonists on the vascularature supplying the penis are affected by vasodilation which causes erectile dysfunction! Aspirin does not control vasoconstriction or vasodilation…. And as I said if you have coronary artery disease (plaque on the inside of the arteries of your heart) more than likely you have plaque on the inside of ALL arteries, the ones in your neck, legs and penis…. Ie slower blood supply, slower erection!
Rocky, nope. Totally wrong.
You would be better off with a teaspoon of cayanne pepper in a small glass of water.
Goodbye heart attack – hello liver failure!
Aspirin does not cause liver failure.
“Of the 700 patients studied, the drug tended to be most ineffective for men in their forties with a history of diabetes or high blood pressure, who were obese, or had high levels of alcohol consumption”
Why did they bother..
I’m no doctor but for the 20% could they not just drink loads of red wine and destroy acres of plant sterols?
This is not new news. The whole topic is well researched in other countries. Also, the report………as far as we can tell, says Aspirin MAY NOT be effective for those 20% with co-morbidities. It doesn’t say Aspirin is NOT effective. There’s an area of doubt. Poor reporting though. Self-medicating can be worse than non-medicating. Always consult a GP about Aspirin. It is effective in very small doses but potentially nasty in larger doses.
As I commented earlier. This is not new news. IHF appear to be wasting money. Would have been easier to look at all the past research.
That’s bad
Not that 20 out of a 100 it don’t work for it’s the report etc 80 people it helps out of 100 so why worry people.
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