To drink or not to drink?
Microdoses of aspirin are safe for patients who have experienced intracerebral hemorrhage
Lina Medvedeva, XX2 century
According to a new study, patients who have suffered a stroke caused by an intracerebral hemorrhage can safely take aspirin to reduce the risk of future strokes and heart problems. Aspirin dilutes the blood, so doctors are cautious about prescribing it, because it can aggravate the situation.
But a study published in The Lancet (RESTART Collaboration, Effects of antiplatelet therapy after stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage (RESTART): a randomized, open-label trial) shows that it does not increase the risk of a new intracerebral hemorrhage, and may even reduce it. Experts say that this connection needs to be confirmed by other studies. They recommend taking aspirin daily only if it is prescribed by a doctor.
Aspirin is known as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. But a daily low dose (75 mg) is used to make the blood less viscous and prevent myocardial infarction and stroke. Most strokes are caused by blood clots in the blood vessels of the brain, but some are caused by bleeding. Since aspirin dilutes the blood, it can increase the bleeding in the patient.
Aspirin is not safe. It can cause indigestion and lead to stomach ulcers. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16 (unless prescribed by a doctor). This may increase the likelihood of children developing a rare disease called Ray's syndrome (it causes liver and brain damage).
The study involved 537 people from the UK, all had intracerebral hemorrhage, and they also took antiplatelet drugs to prevent blood clotting, including aspirin, dipyridamole or clopidrogel.
Half of the patients were randomly selected to continue taking medications (with a short break after intracerebral hemorrhage), and the other half stopped taking them.
During the five years of the study, 12 of those who continued taking the pills had intracerebral hemorrhage, compared with 23 of those who stopped taking the drugs.
Studies cannot prove that aspirin prevents future strokes, but it seems to be associated with a lower risk.
This does not mean that aspirin is always safe to take. But this indicates that daily treatment may benefit more patients suffering from bleeding or strokes.
It is unclear whether the results of the study will be applicable to all patients in real life. According to the lead researcher, Professor Rustam Salman from The University of Edinburgh: "At the moment we find it difficult to advise what would be right in this situation. Doctors are hesitant to give aspirin or similar drugs to stroke patients. European guidelines do not give recommendations because there is not enough evidence. I think we have now confirmed the security. It seems that aspirin is safe enough, and it can be prescribed."
Professor Salman recommended conducting more studies to find out whether aspirin can really reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhages and blood clots.
Professor Metin Avkiran from the British Heart Foundation says: "About a third of people suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage, known as hemorrhagic stroke, take antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin to reduce the risk of a heart attack or ischemic stroke. We now have good reason to believe that they can continue to take these potentially life-saving medications after an intracerebral hemorrhage without increasing the risk of its recurrence."
You can reduce the risk of stroke by eating right, exercising regularly, giving up smoking and alcohol.
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