AUSTIN -- Is a daily aspirin regimen helpful in preventing heart attacks? In the past, conventional wisdom said yes, but a recent advisory by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says not so fast.
Call it the Bayer facts. On the label, the aspirin is called the wonder drug with lifesaving benefits. The FDA agrees aspirin is proven to help patients who've already suffered a heart attack or stroke.
"Those patients should unequivocally be on aspirin," said Doctor Kunjan Bhatt, a clinical cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and Austin Heart.
When Bayer wanted to change its labeling to include the prevention of heart attacks in people without a history of heart disease, the FDA said request denied. The FDA says there's simply not enough data to support the claim for patients with no heart problems.
"That's sort of two sided," said Bruce Ladden, a heart disease patient. "What good would it do afterwards if it had no affect before?"
Ladden has taken a daily dose of aspirin since 2000. While he did require a quadruple bypass just two years ago, Ladden says it's possible aspirin as a preventive medication kept him from having a heart attack.
"Did it help -- I'm hoping so," said Ladden. "I've never felt any ill effects or side effects from the aspirin at all."
Bhatt is Ladden's cardiologist. He says the recent findings are controversial, but he understands why the FDA put forth stipulations for primary prevention patients. Bhatt says he could not recommend an aspirin regimen for young, healthy adults with no history of heart disease or stroke because aspirin is a blood thinner and could lead to gastric irritation or even bleeding ulcers.
"The most important thing I can tell you and I can tell my patients and the public is talk to your doctor," said Bhatt. "Your situation may be different than the next patient. Each situation is unique."
Go here for a link to the FDA report.
Go here for a link to Heart Hospital of Austin.
