Aspirin at Discharge

From Q2 2005 to Q2 2006, 99.5% of heart attack survivors at Strong Memorial Hospital received a prescription for daily aspirin after hospital discharge, unless otherwise contraindicated.

Source: United States Department of Health & Human Services

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, aspirin is recommended to decrease the incidence (frequency of new cases) of heart disease in adults who have risk factors for heart disease. Individuals who are at increased risk for bleeding, however, may not be candidates for aspirin therapy because aspirin thins the blood, further increasing the risk of bleeding.

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines found Class I evidence (highest level of scientific support) for taking aspirin indefinitely after a heart attack (Circulation, September 2000: 102 (10); 1193-1209).

Evidence for this guideline has existed since the mid to late 1990s and has been further supported by subsequent research. "Long-term aspirin therapy confers conclusive net benefits on risk of subsequent MI [myocardial infarction], stroke, and vascular death among patients with a wide range of prior manifestations of cardiovascular disease" (Circulation, October 21, 1997: 96(8); 2751-2753).

Unless otherwise contraindicated, the protocol at Strong Memorial Hospital includes prescribing daily aspirin for heart attack survivors after hospital discharge.