caution for primary-prevention aspirin

New statement urges caution for primary-prevention aspirin in diabetics

JUNE 3, 2010 | Michael O'Riordan

Chapel Hill, NC - A new scientific statement on the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes recommends that low-dose aspirin is "reasonable" in those with no history of vascular disease but who are at an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events [1].

The new recommendations, from a joint statement of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), theAmerican Heart Association (AHA), and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), essentially call for tighter criteria for aspirin use in the diabetic population. The organizations state that only men older than 50 and women older than 60 who have one or more additional major risk factors should be treated with aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events./.../