The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued an updated recommendation about the use of aspirin for prevention of coronary heart disease.

The recommendation statement is summarized in the March 17, 2009 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine .

The updated recommendations encourage men aged 45 to 79 to use aspirin when the potential benefit of a reduction in heart attacks outweighs the potential harm of an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. They also encourage women aged 55 to 70 to use aspirin when the potential benefit of a reduction in ischemic strokes, those strokes that are caused by blocked arteries, outweighs the potential harm of an increase in GI bleeding.

The USPSTF stated that there was not enough evidence to assess the balance of the benefits and harms of aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease in men and women over the age of 80. They also did not encourage aspirin use for heart disease prevention in men under the age of 45 years and women under the age of 55 years.

Source

Ann Intern Med 2009;150:396-404.