About 7 in 10 with existing atherosclerotic CVD take aspirin, survey finds
Respondents age 65 and older, men, non-Hispanic whites, and those with at least 2 risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were more likely to use aspirin than other groups.
Use of aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is suboptimal, with slightly more than 70% taking it, a phone survey found.
To estimate the prevalence of aspirin use for secondary ASCVD prevention, CDC researchers analyzed phone survey data from 20 states and the District of Columbia. Participants were classified as having preexisting ASCVD if they self-reported a history of coronary heart disease or stroke, based on a previous diagnosis by a health professional. Overall, 175,523 participants age 18 and older responded, of which 21,682 (12.5%) reported a history of coronary heart disease, stroke, or both. After exclusion of patients with missing sociodemographic and ASCVD risk factor data, the final sample was 17,984.
Results appeared in the July 17 MMWR.
Overall, 70.8% of adult respondents with existing ASCVD reported using aspirin every day or every other day. Within this group, 93.6% reported using aspirin to prevent heart attacks, 79.6% reported using it to prevent strokes, and 76.2% reported using it for both. In addition, 14.9% (95% CI, 13.8% to 16.0%) who reported regular aspirin use and who had ASCVD also reported using aspirin for pain relief, while 4.2% (95% CI, 3.5% to 4.9%) reported using aspirin for pain relief only. In general, respondents age 65 and older, men, non-Hispanic whites, and those with at least 2 ASCVD risk factors were more likely to use aspirin than other groups.
The researchers wrote, “The use of this low-cost, effective, and generally safe intervention among persons who have existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is supported by multiple evidence-based guidelines, and current data suggest that there is room for increased use in this population.”