This used to be an easy fill-in the blank type question. But recently, the wisdom and logic behind taking an aspirin a day as a preventative measure against heart disease/attacks or strokes has been taken in to question.
It seems that the daily intake of aspirin greatly increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding, and even carries a risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in to the brain). So new guidelines are being released in order to help guide decisions on the matter. As the risk of having a cardiac event or stroke must be weighed against the internal bleeding in the intestines or brain.
The guidelines are as follows:
Men less than 45, should NOT take aspirin on a daily basis to prevent an event.
Women less than 55 are in the same boat.
Men between 45 and 79 should take a daily aspirin, if the risks of an event outweigh the other risks.
Women between 55 and 79, shouldn't take a daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack, but may take one if the likely-hood of a stroke outweighs other risks.
They said there were was no evidence either way once you've passed 80. I guess they figure you've made it this far, so you've probably earned the right to pop some pills.
The article may be found here; Aspirin Article
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