Quick study
Published: Sun, Nov. 30, 2008 12:00AM
Modified Sun, Nov. 30, 2008 05:34AM
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Aspirin may not help prevent heart problems.
The question: Diabetes raises the odds of having cardiovascular problems. Might aspirin or an antioxidant lower that risk?
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This study: randomly assigned 1,276 people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes (average age, 60) but no symptoms of cardiovascular disease to take aspirin (100 milligrams), an antioxidant mixture, both or a placebo daily. Over the next six years, 233 participants had a serious heart problem, such as coronary artery disease, a heart attack or a stroke. There was almost no difference in the rate at which these problems occurred between those who took aspirin and those who did not, or between those who took the antioxidant and those who did not. About 18 percent of all groups had a heart attack or stroke.
Who may be affected? People with diabetes, which at least doubles their risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
Caveats: Aspirin can cause gastrointestinal problems and bleeding.
Find this study: Oct. 16 online issue of BMJ (it's affiliated with the British Medical Association). Learn about diabetes at www.diabetes.org or www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.
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