Should I start daily aspirin for prevention after age 50?
Turning 50 alone is not a reason to start aspirin. For prevention of a first cardiovascular event, any potential benefit must be weighed against bleeding risk. This differs from treatment after established cardiovascular disease or a stent; do not start or stop prescribed therapy independently.
Details
Primary prevention differs from treatment after an event
US Preventive Services Task Force guidance treats initiation at ages 40–59 as an individual decision for selected people with higher cardiovascular risk, and advises against starting for primary prevention from age 60. This does not cancel an indicated prescription after a heart attack or stent.
What informs the decision?
The clinician reviews cardiovascular history, ulcers or bleeding, blood pressure and medicines, including anticoagulants and other painkillers. Even low-dose aspirin can cause gastrointestinal or other serious bleeding; calling it baby aspirin does not make it risk-free.
If already taking it
Ask why it was prescribed, how long to continue and what to do before surgery. Do not stop simply because of age. Vomiting blood or black stools with dizziness requires urgent help. Prevention also includes controlling blood pressure and cholesterol and stopping smoking.
Related reading: Are heart attacks more common in the morning, and can they happen at night?.