Deadly Warning on Daily Aspirin Use
A brand new study held in Spain has shown that healthy people who are taking a daily aspirin dose to prevent heart attacks may actually be useless. Daily supplementation also led to high rates of internal bleeding – a serious condition that, if left unattended, can lead to major health risks.
Scottish scientists told a meeting of heart specialists in Spain that a their large scale study of more than 3000 men showed that daily aspirin use did not significantly reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. The scientists also found that it almost doubled the risk of being admitted to hospital because of internal bleeding.
Professor Gerry Fowkes, of Edinburgh’s Wolfson Unit for Prevention of Peripheral Vascular Disease, said the research showed the blood-thinning drug should not be prescribed to the general population.
“Aspirin probably leads to a minor reduction in future events, but the problem is that has to be weighed against an increase in bleeding,” he said. “Some of that bleeding can be quite serious and lead to death.”
Approximately six previous studies have indicated that frequent doses of aspirin could lower the risk of heart attacks. The Edinburgh study looked at 3,350 patients aged 50 to 75 who were thought to be at risk of heart disease but had not showed any symptoms.
The study was held over an 8 year period. Over these 8 years, 181 of those taking a daily aspirin dose had heart attacks or strokes, compared with 176 who were taking placebos.
There was no difference in the rate of heart attacks or strokes between the two groups, and deaths from any cause were similar.
A major results was seen in the rates of internal bleeding experienced by the participants; with 34 major bleeds in people taking aspirin compared with 20 among those on the placebo.
The director of Melbourne’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Garry Jennings, said the research was not likely to change practice in Australia because it was too small to be statistically significant.
“Aspirin, like any therapy that reduces the risk of thrombosis, also makes bleeding more likely,” he said.
“In healthy people the balance of risk and benefit is close to even. In those with a history of heart disease the balance strongly favours benefit.”
Professor Jennings said that in Australia, aspirin was recommended for people with a history of heart or vascular disease, but not for otherwise healthy people.
Emed’s Comment:
For as little as $1.02, you can pick up a pack of 24 aspirin from your local Woolies. Easily accessible to anyone and everyone, little does the average consumer know of the dangerous risks and side-effects that just a couple of daily aspirin can bring.
As outlined in the article, of the 3350 participants, 181 individuals taking aspirin experienced heart attacks, compared to 176 on placebos. Let’s break this down.
Therefore, out of 3350 participants, 5.4% had heart attacks or strokes when taking aspirin, compared to 5.25% taking the sugar pill. Furthermore, 1.01% experienced ‘major’ internal bleeding, compared to 0.60% taking a placebo.
According to the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Director, Garry Jennings, this is statistically significant, however much more attention should be paid to the immense dangers facing regular users of aspirin.
Aspirin has many different effects in the body. Most of the positive attention is paid to its’ ability to relieve pain and inflammation. Aspirin works by interfering with the production of a series of chemicals in the body (called prostaglandins) that regulate many of the vital functions in the body.
By blocking prostaglandins, aspirin lowers body temperature, relieves pain and inflammation. It also interferes with the role of blood platelets in forming clots. Indeed, aspirin is prescribed by many doctors around the world to ‘thin’ the blood.
Many, many doctors around Australia (and the world) regularly prescribe aspirin for heart attack prevention. Aspirin does in fact thin the blood, however the many side-effects and dangers far outweigh the benefits.
Not only does aspirin use account for many hospital visits, illnesses, dangerous drugs interactions and even heart attacks and strokes, it also contributes to the large amount of stomach ulcers and GIT bleedings experienced by unsuspecting users.
Many studies have been performed showing the true dangers of aspirin use. These include:
- In a research study performed at the University of Western Sydney in 2005, it was found that 10.7% of the 187 patients who had been taking aspirin for a month developed substantial peptic ulcers.
- From the Associated Press in 1999, death by analgesics (over the counter pain-killers such as aspirin and NSAIDs) is the 15th most common cause of death in America.
- A 1998 article published in the Stroke journal [R.A. Kronmal et al. Stroke 29, 887-894 (1998)] summarised: “Randomised clinical trails testing aspirin in 5011 elderly people, showed that use of aspirin caused a 4-fold increase in hemorrhagic stroke.”
- The JUPITER study performed in 2005 measured the prevalence and incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers among 187 aspirin therapy patients. It found that one in 10 people taking low-dose aspirin to prevent a stroke or heart attack had a stomach ulcer at any point in time.
- In a large scale analysis performed by scientists at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford in 2000, the researchers analysed 24 previous studies of aspirin, involving almost 66,000 patients. They found that, on average, bleeding occurred in 2.5% of patients taking aspirin.
Stomach ulcers may not sound very serious, however even small ulcers can result in serious internal bleeding, blood vessel damage, perforation of the stomach or bowel wall (a hole in the tissue), leading to disease, or even obstruction at the end of the stomach or intestine – very dangerous conditions.
The scary thing is that it doesn’t take vast amounts of aspirin to bring on these dangerous conditions. As little as 75 mg a day can cause ulcerations and bleeding – a two-a-day dose generally contains up to 325mg.
All effort should be made to stop using aspirin. There are natural alternatives that are both effective and safe they may even save your life.
Natural blood thinners
Among their many other benefits, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil act as natural blood thinners; aiding in blood flow, improve circulation and reducing the risk of blood clots forming. This in turn can reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack, as well as many other cardiovascular conditions.
In addition, fish oil aids in the relief of inflammation, joint and muscle pain, which are some of the main causes of common pain symptoms. Using a good quality, daily fish oil in place of aspirin of NSAIDs can not only improve your condition, it may also eliminate your need for prescription drugs.
Krill Oil is emerging as a superior form of omega-3s. Though its’ benefits have been well studied over the last 20 years, Krill Oil is now showing its’ effectiveness in treating and preventing a range of conditions.
Krill are tiny crustaceans that make up the second largest biomass on the earth. Krill oil is absorbed much more quickly into our blood streams as opposed to regular fish oil. This rapid absorption prevents fishy reflux, and binds to the cells much more quickly.
Krill Oil, unlike regular fish oil, contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it can protect the eye, brain and central nervous system, whilse also protecting the cells from damage from free radicals.
What else can I do?
If you are taking statin drugs, or are knowingly at risk of suffering a heart attack, it is important that you begin CoQ10 supplementation immediately. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and a major component in energy production. Statin drugs leach CoQ10 from the body; as does ageing, poor diet and alcohol consumption.
Most of us are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is essential for energy production, but is also a major player in muscle maintenance, relaxation and repair. Our range of magnesium products penetrate quickly to support all muscles in the body. Magnesium supplementation is especially important for anyone who has a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Exercise daily. Adequate exercise will help to keep your heart, lungs and body in shape, giving you the best chance of a long, healthy life free from heart attacks or strokes. Staying at a correct weight will also reduce strain on your cardiovascular system.
Cut the junk from your diet. This includes processed foods, fast foods and GRAINS. Grains, breads and cereals are a major cause of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation leads to chronic pain, illness and disease. Stop making excuses and start eating right.
Further Reading:
- Voltaren Causes Heart Attacks and Strokes
- Nurofen, Stomach Ulcers and Bleeding from the Bowel
- Red Bull Can Give You a Stroke
- Soft Drinks Linked to Heart Disease
- Low Intake of Vitamin D Boosts Heart Attack Risk
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