Chemoprevention: Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events - Chemoprevention

Release Date: January 2002

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends that clinicians discuss aspirin chemoprevention with adults who are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) (go to Clinical Considerations). Discussions with patients should address both the potential benefits and harms of aspirin therapy.

Rating: A recommendation.

Rationale: The USPSTF found good evidence that aspirin decreases the incidence of coronary heart disease in adults who are at increased risk for heart disease. They also found good evidence that aspirin increases the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding and fair evidence that aspirin increases the incidence of hemorrhagic strokes. The USPSTF concluded that the balance of benefits and harms is most favorable in patients at high risk of CHD (5-year risk of greater than or equal to 3 percent) but is also influenced by patient preferences.

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