Yale Bulletin and Calendar

December 1, 2000Volume 29, Number 12



BULLETIN HOME

VISITING ON CAMPUS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BULLETIN BOARD

CLASSIFIED ADS


SEARCH ARCHIVES

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

BULLETIN STAFF


PUBLIC AFFAIRS HOME

NEWS RELEASES

E-MAIL US


YALE HOME PAGE


Researchers say taking aspirin still
a good way to prevent heart attacks

An overview by a Yale researcher of four studies examining the use of aspirin and the reduction of heart attacks in people with no previous history of cardiovascular disease shows aspirin remains a good preventive measure.

The studies included more than 51,000 people and 2,284 "vascular events": vascular disease-related death, cardiac or cerebral; nonfatal heart attack; or nonfatal stroke. The overview article was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

"The results reconfirm that aspirin is beneficial in preventing a first myocardial infarction," says Patricia Hebert, associate research scientist in the Department of Medicine, cardiology, at the School of Medicine. "We really did not have enough events to assess the effects of aspirin on overall stroke, ischemic stroke or cardiovascular death. There was an increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke from taking aspirin, which also has been detected in secondary prevention trials."

Individuals who took aspirin had a 32% reduction in nonfatal heart attacks. Aspirin did not appear to reduce the number of vascular disease-related deaths, nor lead to any significant decrease in the number of overall or ischemic strokes. There was, however, a slight increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with aspirin use.

The overview included four primary prevention trials of aspirin and cardiovascular disease: The Physicians Health Study, The British Doctors' Trial, The Thrombosis Prevention Trial and The Hypertension Optimal Treatment Study.

"In primary prevention, there is conclusive benefit of aspirin in reducing risk of a first myocardial infarction and any important vascular event," Hebert says. "Whether there are any beneficial effects on risks of vascular deaths, overall stroke or ischemic stroke remains uncertain due to inadequate numbers of events in the primary prevention trials completed to date. While based on small numbers, the available evidence suggests an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke that needs to be further investigated."

Hebert says more randomized trial data, especially in women, is needed to help formulate a rational public health policy for individuals at usual risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. In the meantime, she notes, these data provide evidence for a significant benefit of aspirin therapy in the primary prevention of myocardial infarction.

Co-author of the study was Dr. Charles Hennekens, visiting professor of medicine and epidemiology and public health at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

-- By Jacqueline Weaver


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

$2.5M grant boosts study of drug abuse in women

National carillon guild taps top-rung student 'ringers'

Tufte warns against 'display debris' in design

Actress gives voice to Yale doctors and patients in 'Rounding It Out'

Law School symposium examines U.S. relations with Colombia

Mental hygiene department celebrates 75 years


MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS

Gift Gallery: A Look at What's on Sale at Yale's Museums This Holiday Season

Drama School stages Brecht's 'folk tale'

Playreading festival to feature works by drama students

Architecture forum to explore future of older public buildings

Work of French critic Roland Barthes is subject of symposium

New works by noted digital artist Paul Kaiser will be previewed at DMCA event

A mission for education

Campus Notes

In the News

Yale Scoreboard



Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board

Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff

Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page