A recent American study reveals that regular low-dose aspirin use can protect individuals with type 2 diabetes from life-threatening complications.
The new preliminary study found that taking low-dose aspirin may significantly reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
This study will be presented at the 2025 American Heart Association scientific sessions and is based on an analysis of electronic health data from over 11,500 adults with type 2 diabetes over a decade.
To ensure the accuracy of the results, researchers excluded individuals at risk of bleeding from the study sample.
The results showed significant differences between low-dose aspirin users and non-users, with the risk of heart attack decreasing to 42.4% among users compared to 61.2% for non-users. The risk of stroke decreased to 14.5% versus 24.8%, and the risk of death from any cause dropped to 33% compared to 50.7%.
Researchers noted that this benefit is more pronounced among patients who take aspirin regularly and continuously, and the improvement was evident regardless of blood sugar levels, although it was more noticeable in patients with controlled blood sugar levels.
Dr. Alicia Kinnett, the lead researcher of the study, commented that the magnitude of the benefit was surprising, emphasizing that the study did not track bleeding incidents, which is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of aspirin safety.
Dr. Amit Khera, who did not participate in the study, explained that these results raise important questions for future research, stressing that the final decision to take aspirin should be made after thorough discussion with the medical team, considering the trade-off between its potential benefits and known bleeding risks.
This research comes in the context of cardiovascular diseases still being the leading cause of death among individuals with type 2 diabetes.
It is worth noting that current recommendations from the American Heart Association do not advise low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of heart disease in type 2 diabetes patients without a prior history of heart disease.
Despite the significance of these findings, the study has some limitations, as it is an observational study rather than a randomized clinical trial, and reliance on medical records to determine medication adherence may not fully reflect reality.
Ultimately, the decision to use low-dose aspirin as a means of preventing cardiovascular diseases for type 2 diabetes patients is an individual one that should be made under careful medical supervision, following a thorough assessment of the potential benefits and risks for each case.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Previous guidelines from the American Heart Association have not recommended low-dose aspirin for primary prevention in diabetes patients without a prior history of heart disease. This new research challenges existing recommendations and emphasizes the need for further investigation into aspirin’s role in diabetes management.
The study analyzed electronic health data from over 11,500 adults with type 2 diabetes over a decade, focusing on those at high risk for cardiovascular issues. The findings suggest a potential shift in clinical practice regarding aspirin use in this population.
