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The report, a joint project of the American Cancer Society (ACS), theAmerican Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Heart Association (AHA),is based on a mathematical model incorporating data from the fourth NationalHealth and Nutrition Education Survey (NHANES IV) to determine the effects ofpreventive measures on the entire U.S. population over a 30-year period. Theresults are published in the current issues of Circulation and Diabetes Care.
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"The latest report adds to an extensive body of evidence demonstratingthat aspirin saves lives," commented Dr. Nieca Goldberg, associate professorof medicine and medical director of New York University's Women's HeartProgram and author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg's Complete Guide to Women's Health."The study results underscore that regular aspirin use among appropriatepatients -- even at less than 100 percent adherence -- can greatly reduce theincidence of heart attacks in at-risk individuals."
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.,affecting men, women and all ethnic groups. In fact, nearly 71 million peopleare at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and, according to the AHA, every26 seconds an American will suffer a coronary event.
The ACS/ADA/AHA report estimates that more than three-quarters (78percent) of U.S. adults aged 20-80 years are candidates for at least oneprevention activity (aspirin use, controlling pre-diabetes, losing weight,lowering blood pressure in people with diabetes, lowering LDL cholesterol inpeople with existing coronary artery disease). If all such individuals partookof the activities for which they are eligible, heart attacks would be reducedby 63 percent. If more feasible levels of adherence are assumed, based onclinical trial data, there would still be reductions of 36 percent for heartattack.
The report follows on the heels of new health policies released by theAmerican Medical Association (AMA), which include a resolution to increasephysician education about the importance of counseling patients on theappropriate use of aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke. Aspirin'spotential to reduce the burden of CVD is also underscored in a Partnership ForPrevention (PFP) report, which ranked 25 evidence-based clinical preventiveservices recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices based on theseservices' health impact and economic value; aspirin counseling was rated thenumber-one preventive health service that, if optimized, would dramaticallycontribute to improved public health. The PFP report also states that 45,000lives would be saved each year if more adults took a regular low-dose aspirinto prevent heart disease.
Aspirin is one of the most extensively studied drugs in history, with a110-year track record of efficacy and safety. More than 200,000 patients havebeen studied in more than 200 randomized clinical trials evaluating aspirinefficacy and safety across a range of doses. When taken regularly, aspirin hasbeen shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and recurrentstroke. However, despite its well-established benefits, including support fromguidelines recommendations by the AHA, USPSTF, ADA, World Health Organizationand other health organizations, aspirin is widely underutilized in the UnitedStates and the world over. Reports show aspirin is used by only about half ofthose who should be using it to prevent CV events.
"With its emphasis on the feasibility of regular aspirin use and otherprevention efforts, the ACS/ADA/AH
