Avoid aspirin for the elderly
Jun 07, 2005
PEOPLE aged 70 and above should not take low dose aspirin for heart disease because they are at increased risk of nasty side effects, say researchers. <br>Aspirin tablets can cause bleeding in both the stomach and the brain.
PEOPLE aged 70 and above should not take low dose aspirin for heart disease because they are at increased risk of nasty side effects, say researchers.
Aspirin tablets can cause bleeding in both the stomach and the brain.
From a study, it was discovered that at this age, heart benefits gained by taking aspirin were offset by increased cases of serious bleeding, an Australian team of researchers found.
The British Heart Foundation supported the findings and said although aspirin was useful in people at very high risk of heart attacks and stroke, its use in older patients should be minimised.
Aspirin is one of the most common drugs available in almost all drugshops in Uganda. It is prescribed for headaches, pain killing and sore throat. Doctors recommend aspirin for patients who have a higher-than-normal chance of having a heart attack or stroke, as long as there are no other medical reasons not to prescribe the drug, such as unwanted side effects.
The figures thrown up by the Australian study at the University of Tasmania indicated that the overall balance of harm and benefit for taking aspirin could tip either way.
Agencies
Aspirin tablets can cause bleeding in both the stomach and the brain.
From a study, it was discovered that at this age, heart benefits gained by taking aspirin were offset by increased cases of serious bleeding, an Australian team of researchers found.
The British Heart Foundation supported the findings and said although aspirin was useful in people at very high risk of heart attacks and stroke, its use in older patients should be minimised.
Aspirin is one of the most common drugs available in almost all drugshops in Uganda. It is prescribed for headaches, pain killing and sore throat. Doctors recommend aspirin for patients who have a higher-than-normal chance of having a heart attack or stroke, as long as there are no other medical reasons not to prescribe the drug, such as unwanted side effects.
The figures thrown up by the Australian study at the University of Tasmania indicated that the overall balance of harm and benefit for taking aspirin could tip either way.
Agencies