Scientists have a bad habit of contradicting themselves or at least contradicting long held dogmas. This time aspirin stock took a bit hit with the New England Journal of Medicine reporting on an almost 5 year long study regarding benefits of aspirin usage in other healthy individuals. Despite a solid history of medical dogma that daily aspirin is good for you, this study showed no difference between those who swallowed 100mg (just a bit bigger than a baby aspirin 81mg) and those who took the placebo pills.
While many studies have confirmed the benefit of aspirin “after” a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke), studies had been inconclusive whether benefits extended to individuals without cardiovascular disease histories. Medical practice of this type, years of doing something that we think is helpful while not being sure, is much more common than most patients would think. Even when we medical professionals have a few good randomized trials to hang out hats on, occasionally a newer study contradicts the former studies. When practicing evidence-based medicine, we have less evidence than we would hope and the evidence we have falls always short of a 100% guarantee.
Before leaving this topic, remember to discuss new findings like this with your doctor before stopping aspirin or any other medication. You may have legitimate medical reasons to continue your daily dose. A prior stroke or heart attack means you should definitely continue. On the other hand, the next time your doctor tells you how you absolutely must follow the latest research findings, ask a few questions. For example, ask what other studies have shown. Or ask if there is a logical reason for the new findings. At least ask if they are sure it applies to you. On the other hand, don’t expect your doctor to have a perfect research study to guarantee successful treatment of your chronic disease. Experience and clinical judgment goes a long way in restoring health. At Sanctuary, we work to combine the best of research, clinical experience, and wisdom to help our patients liver a healthier more abundant life.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
Would you please give me the title and date of this New England Journal of Medicine article on aspirin? I would like to research this more. Thank you.