'Aspirin doesn't prevent heart attacks in women'

Aspirin does not protect women from heart attacks, a major study has found.

A 10-year study of 40,000 healthy women found those who took 100mg of aspirin every other day were no less likely to suffer attacks than women given a placebo.

Current medical advice is that women thought to be at risk of developing heart disease should take a low aspirin dose every day. Previous studies have also shown aspirin can protect men's hearts.

Experts today called for the advice to be reconsidered after the new research - the most extensive ever on women. The British Heart Foundation advised people to consult their GP before beginning long-term aspirin usage.

Parts of the study released earlier this week suggest aspirin could help cut the risk of some kinds of stroke in women, but scientists said that more research is needed to find out exactly how the drug affects individual women.

"We need to look at whether this additional complexity in women should be factored in," said study leader Dr Julie Buring of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.

The results are difficult to interpret since, as well as finding no effect on healthy women's susceptibility to disease, they showed some evidence that aspirin could help women over 65.

Previous studies have concentrated much more on the effect of the drug on men, for whom it was thought to be of benefit.

But because aspirin therapy carries a risk of bleeding, doctors recommend it only for men and women with an elevated risk of heart disease - gauged by factors such as high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, diabetes, smoking and obesity.

In the Boston study, the women in the group taking aspirin experienced 40 per cent more episodes of severe gastrointestinal bleeding than those in the control group. They also suffered more episodes of minor bleeding and bruising.

However, the researchers are particularly pleased with its apparent effect on strokes - something the drug has not conclusively been found to do for men.

"The fact that there was a benefit on stroke is very important for women," said Dr Buring, "because we had many more strokes in our study than we had heart attacks."

Belinda Linden of the British Heart Foundation today warned people to check with their doctor before taking aspirin.

"People who have cardiovascular disease can benefit from taking aspirin regularly. The drug is an anti-platelet, which helps stop blood platelets sticking together, and so prevent dangerous blood clots forming.

"However, aspirin may not be suitable for everyone, as it can occasionally lead to bleeding problems or an allergic reaction. People should always check with a doctor or GP before starting to take aspirin long term," she said.