Health
Who is following an aspirin therapy regimen?
■ An occasional snapshot of current facts and trends in medicine.
Quick View. Posted Oct. 1, 2007
Aspirin has acknowledged cardiovascular benefits, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force strongly recommends that physicians routinely discuss this medication with patients at increased risk for coronary heart disease.
| Individuals who take aspirin regularly | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age group | Total | With indicators of heart disease | Without indicators of heart disease |
| 18-44 | 4.6% | 16.6% | 4.2% |
| 45-64 | 27.0% | 55.5% | 22.7% |
| 65 and older | 48.5% | 63.7% | 41.4% |
According to data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, approximately 43 million adults take aspirin regularly. Specifically, 19.3% of the total population take aspirin daily or every other day. In addition, nearly 54% of those at increased heart disease risk take this drug regularly, as do about 15% who are not at increased risk.
Source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Statistical Brief #179, July
Copyright © 2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
