Updated Guidance Regarding Aspirin Use and CVD Prevention

Davida Kruger, NP: I have one more question, and then I want move into some of the diabetes medications. There have been some changes on the use of aspirin therapy. We used to give everybody aspirin therapy. And now they’re saying unless you’ve had a cardiovascular event, we shouldn’t be giving aspirin. However, I always think of type 2 diabetes as an event because the patients are so prone to it. But we’re all looking at each other and waiting for guidance for those patients who have not had a cardiovascular event, do we keep them on aspirin, or do we take them off aspirin?

Margo B. Minissian, PhD, ACNP: The takeaway that came out of the new guidelines was to give aspirin for a few, the important few. As providers, we need to balance the risk/benefit between bleeding and benefits. If your patient with type 2 diabetes is going to have a greater benefit, especially if they need secondary prevention, then yes. They’re usually on some other type of a blood thinner, whether it’s an antiplatelet or a DOAC [direct oral anticoagulant], where the baby aspirin is an important piece to that. If they need purely primary prevention and their blood sugar is well controlled, then that’s a legitimate discussion to be had. But for the person without diabetes, who needs primary prevention, there are not strong data that will sway the curve significantly. Chances are they would not benefit.

Davida Kruger, NP: I want to thank our audience for watching HCPLive® Peers & Perspectives. If you enjoyed the content, please subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive upcoming Peers & Perspectives and other great content right in your inbox. I receive it, and I love it when I see it in there. Take some time to enjoy it. Thank you again for joining us.

Transcript edited for clarity.