People without heart trouble who took a daily low-dose aspirin had a lower risk of heart attack, stroke and death; however, the modest benefits gained were balanced by a major risk, research published Tuesday in the journal JAMA showed. Aspirin-a-day is controversial, not recommended for everyoneLow-dose aspirin taken daily is often recommended for people with heart trouble, despite the known risks of gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding. Scientific studies have shown aspirin's proven benefit in helping prevent a second heart attack or stroke in such high-risk patients. However, controversy surrounds the use of aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in low risk patients. McNeil's own research, the ASPREE trial , looked at the value of taking an aspirin a day to prevent heart attack or stroke in people over the age of 70.

Source: CNN January 22, 2019 15:56 UTC