Trump takes 325 mg of aspirin daily. What do experts think of that? : Shots

President Donald Trump said he takes a higher dose of aspirin every day than his doctors recommend, and he's been doing so for 25 years.

Comments came in wide-ranging interview With Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.

“They say aspirin is a good blood thinner, and I don’t want thick blood running through my heart,” Trump, 79, said. Magazine. “I want good, liquid blood to flow in my heart. Does this make sense?

The president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, one “adult” tablet sold over the counter. This is four times higher than recommended 81 milligrams of low-dose aspirin, used to prevent cardiovascular disease.

What do doctors and researchers say?

As of 2022, the nation's leading panel of disease prevention experts, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommends no one over 60 should start taking daily dose of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular diseasesif they don't already have an underlying problem. The group said it was reasonable Stop taking preventative aspirin in people already taking it at about 75 years of age.

Here's more you need to know about aspirin and heart health.

What is aspirin and what is it used for?

Aspirin – part same family drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen – in low doses reduces production of a molecule that promotes the formation of blood clots.

An over-the-counter drug is usually used for the relief of headaches and pain in adults. It is also used as a preventative medicine – as in the case of Trump – at about one of seven older Americans.

Ideal dose

Experts recommend that these patients take 81 milligrams of aspirin every day to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases. (Dose previously described as “baby aspirin”, but aspirin is no longer recommended for regular use in children.) A low dose is often prescribed—rather than Trump's 325 milligram dose—because there is no benefit according to a large study published in 2021, a higher dose should be taken.

“There is some evidence that if you have already tolerated a higher dose of 325 milligrams, then there is likely very little additional risk when taking a dose beyond 81 milligrams,” says Dr. Eleanor Levinpreventive cardiologist at Stanford Medical University. “However, a higher dose is not necessary.”

Some patients should take low-dose aspirin for life—regardless of age. These include adults who have subjected to heart bypass surgery to redirect blood around a blocked heart artery, and for those who have had acute cardiovascular diseaseamong others. Levine also recommends that some patients with asymptomatic coronary artery disease (enlarged or narrowed heart arteries) take the drug regardless of age.

Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July and a memo released by the White House in December marked his cardiovascular system is in “excellent health.”

Common side effects of aspirin

Although safer than other blood thinners, patients taking this drug, even in low doses, are at risk increased risk bleeding in the stomach and brain. But these adverse events are unlikely to result in death.

The risk of bleeding increases with age, and Levine says drinking alcohol can further increase this risk. Aspirin may also cause less severe bleeding such as bruises and small cuts. Trump experienced both, and so did his doctor. attributed symptoms of his use of aspirin, according to White House memo from July. Levine says these side effects are common and not a cause for concern.

“This shows that it works,” Levine says. “As you reach your 70s and 80s, your skin thins a lot, so it becomes more delicate. You get patients who don’t remember bumping into a table or a chair, and they have bruises all over their arms.”

For Magazine In the interview, Trump also raised concerns about his hearing and sleep, which he largely dismissed. Although age-related hearing loss is more common generalaspirin can also cause hearing difficulties, known as tinnitus. Its effect on sleep has been little studied.

Is more aspirin better or dangerous?

Levine says Trump's unconventional use of aspirin is likely not life-threatening, although she says she does not recommend her patients take higher doses of aspirin unless warranted.

She added that anything over 2,400 milligrams is a dose. historically used to treat arthritis – should be treated like high-dose aspirin, and with even higher doses serious security risks.

“I'm sure his doctors told him the same thing,” Levine says. “We don't need to sound the alarm.”

But she gives her patients different instructions: “We discuss the risks and benefits and have an informed discussion. We are guided by literature and research, and they follow my advice.”

Michal Ruprecht is a global health fellow at Stanford University.