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Aspirin Useful in Reducing Stroke Risk of Patients With Establishedheart Disease: Study

Posted on: Monday, 13 March 2006, 09:00 CST

Aspirin useful in reducing stroke risk of patients with established heart disease: study

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Aspirin may not be effective for the prevention of heart disease but was proved to be useful in patients who have already had a heart attack, researchers said on Sunday at the American College of Cardiology's annual congress.

The conclusion was based on a study presented at the meeting evaluating whether taking aspirin with the blood-thinning drug Plavix diminishes the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

While the overall findings of the study turned out to be negative, "a benefit was seen in patients with established cardiovascular disease ... with a modest reduction of the risks," said study co-author Deepak Bhatt.

The 28-month study, conducted among 15,600 people more than 45 years old, found that taking a combination of Plavix and aspirin made little differences in diminishing the risk of a heart attack or stroke and could actually harm patients who are liable to develop heart disease, like smokers or diabetics.

"There is no reason to use the combination therapy for primary prevention, whereas it might be useful in patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke," said Bhatt, who is the associate director of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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