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Posted on Oct 14, 2002, 5 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Researchers have known for some time that aspirin can help to prevent heart attacks, however results of a new study suggest that the drug can also lower a person's risk of death from any cause - even in those who are so inactive that their inactivity increases their risk of death. Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic found that a daily dose of aspirin can cut the risk of death in people known or thought to have heart disease by as much as 30-40%.
Researchers have known for some time that aspirin can help to prevent heart attacks, however results of a new study suggest that the drug can also lower a person's risk of death from any cause - even in those who are so inactive that their inactivity increases their risk of death. Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic found that a daily dose of aspirin can cut the risk of death in people known or thought to have heart disease by as much as 30-40%. Michael S. Lauer, MD, director of clinical research in the department of cardiology at the clinic, concluded that while an aspirin won't make couch potatoes fit, it will help them to live longer. Aspirin benefits inactive people by preventing platelets from clumping together. Platelet activity is increased in people who are out of shape, leaving them at higher risk of forming clots, thus a daily aspirin lowers the risk of death by keeping clots at bay.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.WebMD.com on the 12th September 2001
