| Aspirin Benefits Differ in Men & Women -
23-01-2006, 05:39 PM
Aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Major benefits differ, however, between men and women, according to a recent study.
In an analysis of six previous trials, researchers performed a sex-specific meta-analysis of aspirin therapy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events to better understand the association of gender with the response to aspirin.
Jeffery S. Berger, M.D., M.S., a Duke University cardiology fellow, and colleagues found aspirin lowered the risk of a heart attack by 32 percent in men, but did not affect stroke risk. On the other hand, there was no significant effect on heart attacks observed in women, but aspirin did reduce their risk of stroke by 17 percent.
"Aspirin is a drug that has been used for many years. It is well-understood, effective, inexpensive and widely available," Dr. Berger says. Researchers also found a 12-percent reduction in cardiovascular events in women and a 14-percent reduction in cardiovascular events in men.
The use of aspirin, however, poses a 70-percent increased risk of bleeding among both men and women. For this reason, Dr. Berger says it is important for patients and physicians to discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks to aspirin therapy. He also stresses aspirin should never replace other methods of reducing cardiovascular disease, such as a proper diet and exercising.
SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006;295:306-313
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24-01-2006, 04:02 AM
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