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The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recently released their joint 2019 guidelines on the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Based largely on the results of three recent clinical trials, the joint committee gave the following guidelines:

• In patients 70 years and older, as well as individuals who are at an increased risk of bleeding – such as those on oral anticoagulants or who have a history of a prior bleeding episode – the committee gave a Class III: Harm recommendation.

In layman’s terms, that means aspirin is not recommended for those patients over 70 years old.

• In patients aged 40-70 years old, the guidelines give a Class IIB recommendation. That means aspirin may be considered for the primary prevention of CVD in those who are at higher cardiovascular disease risk, but who do not have an increased bleeding risk.

In summary, if you are over 70 and/or have a higher risk of bleeding then the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is not recommended because the risks outweigh the benefits.