Overview

• A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 48% of U.S. adults incorrectly believe that taking daily low-dose aspirin is beneficial for preventing heart attacks or strokes in most cases.
• Medical guidelines updated in 2019 and 2022 discourage daily aspirin use for adults over 60 due to increased risks of gastrointestinal and brain bleeding, unless prescribed for specific conditions.
• 18% of surveyed adults with no personal or family history of cardiovascular disease reported regularly taking low-dose aspirin, with 10% using it daily.
• Younger adults were more likely than older generations to correctly identify that the risks of daily aspirin outweigh the benefits, reflecting less exposure to outdated medical advice.
• Aspirin remains recommended for individuals with a history of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions, but experts urge consulting a doctor before starting or stopping its use.