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Aspirin reduces the risk of all-cause death or hospitalisation for heart failure in patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes and heart failure but increases the risk of non-fatal heart attack or stroke, according to findings presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida (11 March 2018).
Researchers analysed UK primary care data on 12,534 patients aged at least 55 years with concomitant type 2 diabetes and heart failure with no previous cardiovascular events[1]
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After a median 4 years follow-up, the risk of all-cause death or hospitalisation for heart failure was reduced by 11% in the 5,967 patients who received aspirin (<75mg dose) compared with the 6,567 patients who did not. However, aspirin was associated with a 50% increased risk of non-fatal heart attack or stroke.
Daily aspirin is recommended for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, but it is not clear whether it reduces risk of heart attack or stroke in people with cardiovascular risk factors.
The researchers said that their results should help better inform the use of aspirin in people with type 2 diabetes and heart failure.
References
[1] Abi Khalil C, Omar O, Al Suwaidi J et al. Primary prevention with aspirin reduces mortality in type 2 diabetes and heart failure: results from the THIN primary care database. Presented at: ACC Annual Scientific Session; 10–12 March 2018; Orlando, Florida. Available to download here: www.onlinejacc.org/content/accj/71/11_Supplement/A1851.full.pdf?download=true
