A new study published in ESC Heart Failure suggests that aspirin use may be associated with a 26% increased risk of heart failure in people with at least one predisposing factor for the condition.
This is the first study to find that aspirin use in individuals with at least one risk factor for heart failure may cause serious complications.
Advertisement
The influence of aspirin on heart failure has been controversial, but this study aimed to evaluate its relationship with a new heart failure diagnosis in those at risk. The study included 30,827 participants at risk for developing heart failure who were enrolled from Western Europe in the US into the HOMAGE study.
Participants who were “at-risk” were defined as falling into one or more of the following categories: obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. All participants were aged 40 years and above and free of heart failure at the start of the study.
Aspirin use was recorded by individuals at enrollment, and participants were classified as either users or nonusers. They were then followed up for the first incidence of fatal or non-fatal heart failure requiring hospitalization.
During the 5.3-year follow-up, researchers found that 1,330 participants had developed heart failure. After adjusting for risk factors, investigators assessed the association between aspirin use and incident heart failure. They found that taking aspirin was independently associated with a 26% raised risk of a new heart failure diagnosis.
The First Large Scale Study
Study author Dr. Blerium Mujaj said, “This was the first large-scale study to investigate the relationship between aspirin use and incident heart failure in individuals with and without heart disease and at least one risk factor. Aspirin is commonly used – in our study, one in four participants were taking the medication. In this population, aspirin use was associated with incident heart failure, independent of other risk factors.”
Researchers concluded that larger multinational and randomized trials are needed to verify these results. However, until then, they suggest that aspirin should be prescribed with caution in those with heart failure or with risk factors for the condition.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
