"Aspirin only for heart patients", Research.

LONDON, NOV 3 (KUNA) -- The use of aspirin to ward off heart attacks and

strokes in those who do not have obvious cardiovascular disease should be

abandoned, researchers said Tuesday.

The UK Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) study says aspirin can cause

serious internal bleeding and does not prevent cardiovascular disease deaths.

It said doctors should review all patients currently taking the drug for

prevention of heart disease.

The Royal College of GPs says it supports the DTB's recommendations.

Low-dose aspirin is widely used to prevent further episodes of

cardiovascular disease in people who have already had problems such as a heart

attack or stroke.

This approach - known as secondary prevention - is well-established and has

confirmed benefits.

But many thousands of people in the UK are believed to be taking aspirin as

a protective measure before they have any heart symptoms.

The DTB said a recent analysis of six controlled trials involving a total

of 95,000 patients published in the journal the Lancet does not back up the

routine use of aspirin in these patients because of the risk of serious

gastrointestinal bleeds and the negligible impact it has on curbing death

rates.

Dr Ike Ikeanacho, editor of the DTB, said: "Current evidence for primary

prevention suggests the benefits and harms of aspirin in this setting may be

more finely balanced than previously thought, even in individuals estimated to

be at high risk of experiencing cardiovascular events, including those with

diabetes or elevated blood pressure."

All KUNA right are reserved 2007.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company