The Serious Risks of Taking Aspirin Daily
For decades, aspirin has been widely regarded as a simple and effective way to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, new research has revealed that for many people, particularly older adults without a history of heart disease, the risks of daily aspirin use far outweigh its potential benefits. Despite changing medical recommendations, millions of Americans continue to take aspirin every day, often without fully understanding the dangers.
Increased Risk of Internal Bleeding
One of the most concerning risks associated with daily aspirin use is internal bleeding. Aspirin works by thinning the blood, reducing the likelihood of dangerous clots. However, this also means that minor injuries or natural bleeding in the body can become severe. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a strong recommendation against daily aspirin use for adults over 60 without a history of heart disease due to these risks.
Dr. Mohak Gupta, a senior resident physician at Cleveland Clinic, warns, “Some of this use is potentially harmful because it may cause more bleeding than it offers cardiovascular protection, in these older adults especially.”
For those taking aspirin regularly, the danger of gastrointestinal bleeding is particularly high. Internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines can go unnoticed until it becomes severe, leading to life-threatening complications. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that nearly one-third of older adults without cardiovascular disease were still taking aspirin in 2021, even though it was no longer recommended for them.
Aspirin and Brain Hemorrhages
Another grave concern is the risk of brain hemorrhages. Aspirin inhibits clotting, which means that small, otherwise harmless blood vessel leaks in the brain can become dangerous. In some cases, this can result in a stroke caused by bleeding rather than a blockage. A Harvard Heart Letter study found that low-dose aspirin use increased the risk of major bleeding events, including brain hemorrhages, by 30% in healthy older adults.
Aspirin Use and Anemia
An often-overlooked risk of long-term aspirin use is anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently. Studies have found that older adults who take daily aspirin are significantly more likely to develop anemia due to small, undetected internal bleeding. “We can’t talk about all the good that aspirin does without mentioning the potential harm,” says Dr. Gregory Piazza, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Even if a person does not experience noticeable symptoms, chronic low-level blood loss can lead to fatigue, weakness, and cognitive impairment over time.
Why Are People Still Taking Aspirin Daily?
Despite growing evidence that aspirin is not safe for everyone, many people continue to take it daily. A survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 48% of U.S. adults still believe the benefits of daily aspirin outweigh the risks in most cases, even though recent medical guidelines say otherwise. “Habits backed by conventional wisdom and the past advice of health care providers are hard to break,” explains Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the survey.
One significant reason for this continued use is outdated medical advice. In the past, doctors frequently recommended aspirin as a preventive measure for nearly all adults over 50. Even though guidelines have changed, many patients—and even some doctors—continue to believe that aspirin is universally beneficial. Some people also start taking aspirin on their own, without consulting a doctor, based on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family.
The Potential Benefits of Daily Aspirin
While daily aspirin use carries serious risks, there are certain groups of people who can still benefit from it.
Aspirin remains a crucial medication for those who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke. In these cases, the drug can prevent further cardiovascular events by keeping the blood from clotting. Dr. Valentin Fuster, president of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, expressed concern that patients who genuinely need aspirin are being overshadowed by those who take it unnecessarily. “It’s not actually the patients that get in their own way,” he notes, suggesting that more accurate messaging about aspirin use is needed.
Additionally, new research has found that aspirin may play a role in preventing colon cancer recurrence. A 2025 study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium found that daily low-dose aspirin reduced cancer recurrence by about 50% in colon cancer patients with specific genetic mutations. “Aspirin has been shown to effectively reduce recurrence rates and improve disease-free survival in more than one-third of these patients,” says Dr. Anna Martling, a professor of surgery at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
Who Should Take Daily Aspirin?
The decision to take aspirin should not be made lightly. According to current medical guidelines, aspirin is still recommended for:
- People who have already had a heart attack or stroke
- Individuals with significant plaque buildup in their arteries
- Adults aged 40 to 59 who have a high risk of heart disease but a low risk of bleeding
However, for adults over 60 without a history of heart disease, experts agree that the risks of aspirin—especially internal bleeding and brain hemorrhages—outweigh its benefits.
The Final Takeaway
Daily aspirin is no longer considered to be the one-size-fits-all health solution it was once believed to be. While it remains a life-saving drug for certain high-risk individuals, it carries significant dangers for those who do not need it. If you are currently taking aspirin—or considering starting—it is essential to have a conversation with your healthcare provider. As Dr. Gupta emphasizes, “This is a decision that should not be made by patients themselves.”
Medical recommendations evolve as new research emerges. Staying informed and making personalized health decisions based on current scientific evidence is the best way to protect yourself from both cardiovascular disease and the unintended consequences of unnecessary medication use.
