For millions living with Type 2 diabetes, every doctor’s appointment comes with a familiar worry: How can I prevent another heart attack or stroke? A new study shared at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 suggests that one simple, everyday pill might offer extra protection. Researchers tracked people with Type 2 diabetes who faced moderate to high cardiovascular risk and discovered that those who regularly took low-dose aspirin had lower chances of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to those who didn’t take it.Also Read: Air Quality Numbers Explained: What Each AQI Level Really Means And When It’s Safe To Step OutsideLow-Dose Aspirin May Lower Heart Risk in People With DiabetesAdults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who took low-dose aspirin were less likely to experience a major heart event, including heart attack, stroke, or death, than others with similar risk levels who did not use aspirin, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025.For the study, researchers reviewed the health records of nearly 11,700 adults with type 2 diabetes and a high risk of heart disease who were part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center network, which spans over 35 hospitals and 400 outpatient clinics across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia.Also Read: Taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro? Experts Warn Of Rare But Severe ReactionThe key findings were:According to the study, adults with Type 2 diabetes who took low-dose aspirin had a lower rate of heart attack (42.4%) than those who didn’t (61.2%).The stroke risk was also reduced for those on a low-dose aspirin routine (14.5% vs. 24.8%), as was the risk of death from any cause within a decade (33% vs. 50.7%).Any level of aspirin use appeared linked to fewer heart attacks and strokes, with the strongest protection seen among those who took it most consistently.In subgroup analyses, low-dose aspirin use lowered cardiovascular risk regardless of participants’ HbA1c levels (a measure of blood sugar control). However, the benefit was more pronounced among those with lower HbA1c levels, suggesting better-managed diabetes led to stronger protection.“People with Type 2 diabetes and higher cardiovascular risk who reported using low-dose aspirin were significantly less likely to experience heart attack, stroke, or death over ten years than those who didn’t,” explained Dr. Aleesha Kainat, clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “That benefit was greatest for people who took aspirin regularly throughout the follow-up period,” she added.What Are the Risks of Low-Dose Aspirin?The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises adults over 60 not to take daily low-dose aspirin as a preventive measure for heart disease. The reason is that, while the medication can help reduce clot-related events, it also increases the risk of bleeding, especially in older adults.“Although aspirin is often seen as harmless for most adults, it carries real risks, including potentially serious bleeding complications, particularly in older individuals,” noted a report from Healthline.Recent evidence also suggests that daily aspirin may not benefit older adults unless they have already experienced a major cardiac event such as a heart attack.
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook