USPSTF Recommends Aspirin to Prevent MI in Men, Stroke in Women

In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advised clinicians to discuss aspirin use with adults who were at elevated risk for coronary heart disease (JW Gen Med Feb 1 2002). In this 2009 update, the task force provides sex-specific guidance, based on new clinical trial data about aspirin’s benefits for women. When the potential benefit outweighs the potential harm from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, the task force recommends aspirin for middle-aged or older men (age range, 45–79) and older women (age range, 55–79) to prevent myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, respectively. A recommendation (The USPSTF recommends the service; the grading system can be accessed on the USPSTF website.)

The task force also concluded that cu…