For years, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended daily aspirin use—which can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure—for women with an elevated risk of heart disease. So with this recommendation in mind, researchers surveyed more than 200,000 women and found that roughly 30,000 of them should be taking a daily aspirin. So how many were? Only 41 percent of them—which means more than half of women who could benefit weren’t, says study author Cathleen Rivera, MD, professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M; University.
Why are so many women neglecting such a simple life-saving step? Dr. Rivera suspects that because aspirin is so affordable and available over-the-counter, many women view it as less effective than more expensive prescription remedies. Taking a daily aspirin isn’t recommended for all women, but if you meet any of the following criteria, talk to your doctor about adding aspirin to your daily healthy regimen:
You’re over age 55You’re recovering from a heart attack, stroke, heart surgery, or any other heart-related illnessYou have a family history of heart disease or strokeYou’re overweight, have diabetes, or smoke
Also see: BPA Linked to Heart Disease, 28 Days to a Healthier Heart, Why Your Family History Matters
