In the United States, aspirin ranks high among the most prescribed drugs. More than 40% of individuals aged 60+ take aspirin daily to avoid blood clots, which may cause serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
As studies have shown a higher likelihood of significant bleeding with aspirin treatment, doctors have recently moved away from its use as a preventative measure against initial heart attacks and strokes in all elderly individuals. However, in certain situations, it is still suggested for those who have had a heart attack or stroke to avoid another instance.
According to CNN, the risk of major bleeding events like aneurysms makes researchers wonder whether aspirin could also have a role in the development of anemia or a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Although heart disease and stroke get all the attention, anemia is also a major issue among the elderly that often goes unnoticed.
Anemia is linked to poor health in general. These include weariness, memory and thinking difficulties, despair, and increased mortality risk. Studies reveal that 30% of persons aged 75 and older globally are anemic.
The Study of Whether Aspirin Causes Anemia or Blood Oxygen Deficiency
Over the course of five years, researchers in the US and Australia monitored more than 18,000 persons aged 65 and over. One group got a dummy pill daily, while the other took a modest dosage of aspirin (100 milligrams). Participants in the study, financed by the National Institutes of Health, underwent annual checkups during which their hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured.
The difference was subtle but noticeable. The risk of anemia in adults who took aspirin was increased by 20% compared to those who did not.
Moreover, the researchers hypothesized that 24% of the seniors using daily aspirin would develop anemia after five years, compared to 20% of those taking a placebo.
Blood oxygen carriers hemoglobin and ferritin were also marginally reduced in those on aspirin regimens.
The discrepancy persisted even after researchers accounted for confounding factors, including age, sex, diabetes, kidney problems, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as cancer and significant bleeding events that occurred during the trial.
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Experts' Possible Explanation for This Phenomenon
The authors have a theory on how this might happen.
Because it prevents platelets from clumping together, aspirin hinders blood clotting. Cox-1, an enzyme necessary for the health of the digestive tract lining, is also inhibited. With this barrier compromised, even little blood loss from the digestive tract may lead to anemia over time.
Although this impact was seen across a wide range of populations, the researchers noted that those with preexisting risks for anemia--such as inflammatory disorders like arthritis or chronic renal insufficiency--should be especially concerned about it.
They recommend that physicians keep a closer eye on their patients' hemoglobin levels if they have numerous risk factors, one of which is aspirin usage.
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