June 26, 2023

Using Aspirin Every Day May Cause Anemia in Seniors

Studies show that more than 40% of adults ages 60 or older take an aspirin every day to prevent dangerous blood clots that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. However, some experts have backed away from recommending blanket aspirin therapy for all older adults, after studies showed that doing so can actually increase the risk of major bleeding.

Knowing that aspirin can contribute to the danger of big bleeds like aneurysms, researchers studied whether it might also be a factor in more subtle blood loss: the kind that may lead to anemia, or reduced oxygen in the blood. Anemia is generally tied to worse health – including fatigue, memory and thinking trouble, depression and an increased risk of death.

New research published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine followed more than 18,000 adults who were 65 and older from the United States and Australia. Based on their results, the researchers estimated that 24% of seniors in the daily aspirin group would develop anemia within five years, compared with 20% of those in the placebo group.

“The researchers say that aspirin is still recommended in some cases for people who have had a heart attack or stroke, to prevent another from occurring,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “We urge people to consult their doctor before making a decision on whether daily aspirin is right for you.”