New Research links Aspirin with Increased Risk of Heart Failure

A study published in a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC Heart Failure) has found aspirin use to be associated with a 26% increased risk of heart failure in those with at least one predisposing factor (smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol , high blood pressure, and diabetes)..The study included 30,827 individuals at risk for developing heart failure (defined as having one or more of the above-mentioned predisposing factors), who were free of heart failure at baseline. The average age was 67 years, with 34% being women, and of the total, 25% (7,698) were taking aspirin at baseline. During the follow-up period of 5.3 years, 1,330 developed heart failure.

After adjusting for various factors, such as age, sex, BMI, smoking, treatment with different drugs, etc., the investigators found that aspirin use was independently associated with a 26% increased risk of new heart failure diagnosis. A matched analysis of aspirin users and non-users for heart failure risk factor showed that aspirin was associated with a 26% raised risk of a new heart failure diagnosis. A repeat analysis excluding patients with a history of cardiovascular disease showed that aspirin use was associated with a 27% increased risk of incident heart failure in 22,690 participants (74%) who did not have cardiovascular disease.

According to study author Dr. Blerim Mujaj of the University of Freiburg, Germany, “This was the first large study to investigate the relationship between aspirin use and incident heart failure in individuals with and without heart disease and at least one risk factor. Aspirin is commonly used—in our study, one in four participants was taking the medication. In this population, aspirin use was associated with incident heart failure, independent of other risk factors.”. His conclusion was that, while large multinational randomized trials are needed to verify the results, this study suggests that aspirin should be prescribed with caution in those with heart failure or with risk factors for the condition.