Daily Aspirin Warning Issued by Cardiologist
Millions of people who take aspirin every day may be putting themselves at risk of serious side effects, including life-threatening internal bleeding, according to a leading cardiologist. Professor Malcolm Finlay, consultant cardiologist at Barts Heart Centre in Central London, has issued a stark warning that the benefits of daily aspirin are 'very little' for those without a history of heart attack or stroke.
More than two million people in the UK take aspirin daily to protect their hearts. The drug, invented in the 1890s and sold over the counter as a painkiller, works as a blood thinner, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, recent research shows it has little benefit for people who do not have existing cardiac or circulatory problems.
Side Effects Can Be Serious
According to the NHS, common side effects of daily aspirin include indigestion and bleeding more easily. More serious side effects, which require immediate medical attention, include coughing up blood, blood in the urine or stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes (indicating liver problems), painful joints (a sign of high uric acid levels), and swollen hands or feet (indicating water retention).
Professor Finlay told the Mail: 'These side effects are no joke. You could have a bleed in the stomach, which can be a horrid few days of pain. Or, if the bleed happens in the brain, that could be life-threatening.' He also revealed that he himself suffered a major stomach bleed while taking aspirin for a back injury.
Official Guidance Changed
In 2021, official guidance was updated to state that people should only take aspirin daily if a doctor recommends it. In 2023, GPs were told not to routinely prescribe aspirin for people who have never had a heart attack. The NHS still recommends daily aspirin for those who have had a stroke or heart attack, and anyone advised to take it by a doctor should not stop without seeking medical advice.
A 2019 study by the UK’s National Heart and Lung Institute found that the benefits of daily aspirin are 'limited' for people with no underlying heart problems, while it increased the risk of serious internal bleeding. The Mail reported that in the early 2000s, when aspirin prescriptions were at an all-time high, the drug may have contributed to 7,000 deaths a year in the UK.
Alternatives to Aspirin
Professor Finlay emphasised that there are now better cardiovascular treatments available without the negative side effects of aspirin. He said: 'Aspirin and anti-acid drugs like omeprazole should not be taken long term. There’s a reason why the NHS doesn’t recommend using aspirin in this way any more. We have much better cardiovascular treatments that don’t have these negative effects.'
GPs who prescribe aspirin often also prescribe omeprazole or lansoprazole to guard against side effects, but Finlay advises against long-term use of these combinations.
Common and Serious Side Effects
Common side effects affecting more than 1 in 100 people include indigestion, stomach aches, bleeding more easily (nosebleeds, bruising, cuts taking longer to stop), and nausea or vomiting. The NHS suggests taking aspirin with food to help minimise stomach-related issues.
Serious side effects requiring medical attention include signs of internal bleeding (coughing up blood, blood in urine or stools), liver problems (yellowing skin or eyes), joint pain in hands and feet, and swollen hands or feet. Immediate emergency symptoms include anaphylaxis (swelling of lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; difficulty breathing; skin rash) and severe wheezing, especially in people with asthma.
Warning for Children
The NHS strongly advises never giving aspirin to children under 16 unless specifically prescribed by a doctor, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition that causes serious liver and brain damage.
