from American Heart Association journal Circulation
A new study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation shows clear, consistent evidence that low-dose aspirin can help prevent new blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually the legs. The finding is especially important for people who have already suffered a blood clot and the authors say it is a reasonable treatment option for people who are not candidates for long-term anti-coagulant drugs, such as warfarin. The researchers acknowledge that treatment with low-dose aspirin is less effective than with warfarin or the newer drugs designed to prevent or break up blood clots. But using their words, “it is a reasonable option…and very low in cost.” Keep in mind that in addition to its anti-clotting quality, or because of it, low-dose aspirin’s benefit continues to be preventing heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.