Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Release Date: January 2002

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

Summary of Recommendations

• 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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Supporting Documents

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events, January 2002

Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 72 KB; PDF Help)
Summary of the Evidence (PDF File, 114 KB; PDF Help)
What's New (PDF File, 27 KB; PDF Help)
Press Release
Audio News Release

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Current as of January 2002

Internet Citation:

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events, Topic Page. January 2002. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsasmi.htm