U.S. health experts issue warnings on aspirin use and cardiac rehabilitation access

A U.S. prevention services task force has issued new guidance advising individuals aged 60 and older at risk of heart disease against starting daily low-dose aspirin to prevent their first heart attack. The panel, composed of 16 independent experts, noted that the risk of potentially life-threatening internal bleeding outweighs the benefits for this demographic. The updated recommendation replaces 2016 guidelines and does not apply to those who already take aspirin for existing cardiovascular conditions.

Separately, a global assessment of cardiac rehabilitation programs reveals significant disparities in access. While these programs can reduce mortality by over 25% and hospitalizations by nearly 20%, researchers found that most available services are concentrated in high-income nations. For example, the United States and Japan have substantial program counts, whereas countries like Afghanistan and Ethiopia reported no available programs despite significant numbers of heart disease cases.