Millions of people swallow a daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks. New research says most of them should stop.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association updated their guidelines [1]. People older than 70, or anyone with elevated bleeding risk, should no longer take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Aspirin is an NSAID. It thins the blood. That prevents clots, but it also raises the risk of stroke, severe bleeding, and hemorrhaging.
Marcus Charuvastra, CEO of Targeted Medical Pharma, says: "Physicians will still recommend aspirin to patients who've had a heart attack, stroke, or stents. But widespread daily use will decline."
He sees a shift: "People over 70 will increasingly turn to natural products like grape seed extract, curcumin, turmeric, and Theramine to support cardiovascular health."
Five Ways to Protect Your Heart
Fix your diet. Eat vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish. Cut salt, saturated fats, fried foods, processed meats, and sugary drinks.
Move your body. Get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Walk, swim, dance, or cycle.
Lose weight. Dropping 5 to 10 percent of body weight reduces heart disease and stroke risk.
Quit smoking. You already know this. If quitting feels impossible, explore the options now available to help.
Consider natural supplements. Compounds like grape seed extract and Theramine fight inflammation without the bleeding risks of NSAIDs.