# Aspirin a day keeps death away **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072 "2016-02-25T04:43:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/1 "2016-02-25T04:43:11Z")
Hello Everyone, On the advice of my doctor I’ve been eating a children’s aspirin once a day. Other than chronic pain from a back injury in in good health. Doc said “if you want to live a long life the best thing you can do is take an aspirin a day”, so I have been. I know that it thins your blood, so I guess that helps prevent clouds and strokes. So, is it true an aspirin a day will help increase your lifespan? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/2 "2016-02-25T04:49:39Z")
My doctor has me on two a day. I’ll let you know about my lifespan. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/3 "2016-02-25T05:01:36Z")
The blood-thinning aspect of aspirin to reduce clots & stroke has been the accepted norm for maybe 20 years now. My doc has had me taking one for about that long. The flip-side is that in certain cases, usually when accompanied with some other chronic condition, the blood-thinning aspect can increase the risks associated with internal bleeding. Usual IANAD consult your physician etc… ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/4 "2016-02-25T06:39:14Z")
As strokes are one of the major causes of death for oldr people, the beneficial effects of a daily half-dose aspirin seems likely to keep death away (at least for a whule). ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/5 "2016-02-25T09:24:45Z")
The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (i.e. to prevent CV disease in those who have never had it yet) has little, if any, net effect on death rates. [It is not a straightforward](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0079304/)[issue](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4669607/) especially in [low risk individuals](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12184966). OTOH, the use of aspirin is a different story in people who’ve had CV disease already, where it is of benefit. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/6 "2016-02-25T12:20:26Z")
I’ve read a daily dose of Ibuprofen after a certain age increases lifespan because of the anti-inflammatory effects. I could prob find the article later. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/7 "2016-02-25T13:36:22Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > I know that it thins your blood, so I guess that helps prevent clouds and strokes. _I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow,_ I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Oh, _clots_. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/8 "2016-02-25T14:47:15Z")
> [@pool](#): > > I’ve read a daily dose of Ibuprofen after a certain age increases lifespan because of the anti-inflammatory effects. I could prob find the article later. I’d be interested in reading it. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/9 "2016-02-25T15:12:48Z")
Don’t forget reducing risk of various cancers of the colon, stomach and esophagus. > **[Cancer News and Stories | American Cancer Society](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news.html)** > > Our team of expert journalists brings you all angles of the cancer story – from breaking news and survivor stories to in-depth insights into cutting-edge research. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/10 "2016-02-25T15:59:13Z")
Don’t forget the very huge caveat that if you are taking prescription blood thinners, you should \*\*not \*\*also take aspirin. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/11 "2016-02-25T17:19:43Z")
Well it seems Ibuprofen may lower risk of colon cancer with the right genetic makeup, maybe other cancers too? [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391426/Ibuprofen-slows-cancer-cell-growth-used-treatment.html](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391426/Ibuprofen-slows-cancer-cell-growth-used-treatment.html) [http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20150317/certain-painkillers-may-lower-colon-cancer-risk-for-some](http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20150317/certain-painkillers-may-lower-colon-cancer-risk-for-some) And the study that suggested an increase in lifespan, the only one I could find didn’t relate to humans, but either way I think it’s intriguing enough to warrant further study to see if indeed humans could benefit: [http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/12/18/ibuprofen-may-improve-longevity-study-suggests.html](http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/12/18/ibuprofen-may-improve-longevity-study-suggests.html) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/12 "2016-02-25T17:33:44Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Don’t forget the very huge caveat that if you are taking prescription blood thinners, you should \*\*not \*\*also take aspirin. **UNLESS** your doctor has directed you to take both. Some folks are at such high risk for thrombotic problems that both ‘blood thinners’ (anticoagulants) and aspirin (an anti-platelet agent) are used together, despite the increased risk of doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/13 "2016-02-25T17:41:36Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Don’t forget the very huge caveat that if you are taking prescription blood thinners, you should \*\*not \*\*also take aspirin. My husband takes both., and his cardiologist made it sound like with Brilinta, it was necessary. I don’t remember if he did on Plavix or not. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/14 "2016-02-25T18:26:31Z")
Except for coronary stents, I am aware of only one proven indication for the combined use of aspirin and oral anticoagulants (i.e. warfarin). Specifically, in people with mechanical heart valves there is evidence from randomized controlled trials (well, [one trial anyway](http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199308193290802)) that the benefit of such combined use outweighs the risk. On the other hand, for all other (non-coronary stent) indications, the combined use of aspirin and anticoagulants increases bleeding risk without an offsetting benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/15 "2016-02-25T19:13:04Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > **UNLESS** your doctor has directed you to take both. Definitely. I just threw that in because of the ubiquitous advertising that implies that everyone should do without qualification. (Except maybe in the tiny tiny print.) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/16 "2016-02-26T03:27:17Z")
According to this study [http://www.thennt.com/nnt/aspirin-to-prevent-a-first-heart-attack-or-stroke/](http://www.thennt.com/nnt/aspirin-to-prevent-a-first-heart-attack-or-stroke/) Daily aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events did not prevent death. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/17 "2016-02-26T13:28:38Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Daily aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events did not prevent death. Expecting immortality from aspirin is setting the bar rather high, n’est-ce pas? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/18 "2016-02-26T13:40:15Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > _I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, > from up and down, and still somehow,_ > > I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. > > Oh, _clots_. > > Nevermind. Coffee should not exit via the nose. Luckily it missed the keyboard so you owe me nothing. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/19 "2016-02-26T22:50:09Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (i.e. to prevent CV disease in those who have never had it yet) has little, if any, net effect on death rates. [It is not a straightforward](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0079304/)[issue](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4669607/) especially in [low risk individuals](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12184966). > > OTOH, the use of aspirin is a different story in people who’ve had CV disease already, where it is of benefit. Yes, my father was taking baby aspirin based on info from the net but his doctor told him it wouldn’t really make a difference since he doesn’t have the relevant risk factors. He’s gotten off it. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072/20 "2016-03-15T19:05:57Z")
Here’s a useful calculator for helping you decide if the reduction in risk of cancer and myocardial infarctions from taking low-dose aspirin is worth the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: [http://www.benefit-harm-balance.com/](http://www.benefit-harm-balance.com/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-a-day-keeps-death-away/747072.md?page=2)