Aspirin Use among Adults with Cardiovascular Disease in the United States: Implications for an Intervention Approach

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major underlying cause of death, with high economic burden in most countries, including the United States. Lifestyle modifications and the use of antiplatelet therapy, such as aspirin, can contribute significantly to secondary prevention of CVD in adults. This study examined the prevalence and associated factors of aspirin use for the secondary prevention of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (MI), and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) in a sample of American adults. The 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset was analyzed for this cross-sectional study. Almost 16% of the study population (N = 441,456) had angina, MI, or stroke. Weighted percentages of respondents with angina, MI, and stroke were 4%, 4.3%, and 3%, respectively. Overall, weighted prevalence of daily (or every other day) aspirin use was about 65%, 71%, and 57% among respondents with angina, MI, and stroke, respectively. Factors that were significantly associated with aspirin use included male sex, more than high school education, high blood pressure, diabetes, and less than excellent general health. There were existing differences among individuals with CVD based on diagnosis, demographic and socioeconomic status in the use of aspirin for secondary prevention. Resources for promoting aspirin use should be directed toward groups with lower utilization.

COVID-19 and comorbidities: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A close inspection into the common medications taken by patients with cardio/cerebrovascular disease may provide insight as to why this might be the case. A study conducted in 2019 showed that the prevalence of regular aspirin use in patients suffering from either angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or stroke was between 57% and 71% [47]. Apart from its anticoagulant effect, aspirin has also been shown to hinder the replication of different coronaviruses.…”

Aspirin and Primary Prevention in Patients with Diabetes—A Critical Evaluation of Available Randomized Trials and Meta-Analyses

“…They rather found that aspirin in diabetics has only a small, if any, effect on major CV outcome parameters, but constantly increases the risk of bleeding. [5][6][7][8][9] It is, however, questionable whether the current thrombotic risk of diabetics is still the same as in studies published 20 years ago when, with the exception of metformin, no effective antidiabetics were available for treatment of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In addition, there were only few, if any, drugs to retard or even prevent the typical vascular changes in diabetes, notably the progression of diabetic macro-and microangiopathy.…”

Evaluation of Blood Stool Test Utilization for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Georgia, USA

“…The 1997 to 2014 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) datasets were analyzed for this study. The BRFSS is a state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population aged 18 years or older [ 28 , 29 ]. It is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey that collects data on U.S. residents in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories, regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services [ 28 ].…”

“…BRFSS datasets that are publicly accessible do not contain personally identifiable information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ensures that the process of data collection and release are governed by appropriate rules, regulations, and legislative authorizations [ 29 , 40 ].…”