Aspirin Linked to Drop in Heart-Related Deaths

Regular aspirin use, already known to prevent repeat heart attacks, can markedly reduce heart disease-related deaths across the board, a study found.

Researcher Michael Lauer said the study proved assumptions that aspirin counteracts the consequences of poor physical fitness by interfering with excessive blood clotting. Those most likely to benefit from its use are people in poor shape, those with preexisting heart disease and the elderly.

The study, published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Assn., involved 6,174 patients who underwent a stress test between 1990 and 1998. Of those, 2,310--about 37%--were taking aspirin already, either daily or every other day in amounts that were not spelled out in the study.

During three years of follow-up, 4.5% of the patients died. Aspirin use was found to be associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of death, the study said.