Benefits of aspirin may not outweigh the risks for elderly

For persons over 70 years of age, a daily baby aspirin, which is commonly recommended by doctors, may cause more harm then good. Bleeding risk, and that the elderly often have stronger side effects to medications, lead the researchers of this study to believe that large, randomized trials should be done to better study the effects of aspirin.

British Medical Journal March 18, 2005

Bonnie - This is not first and will not be the last study raising risk-awareness about aspirin. Especially when it comes to aspirin, one size does not fit all. At least 25-30% of us genetically cannot tolerate aspirin. In the elderly, it is believed that the percentage is even higher. Aspirin is pure salicylic acid, which can be extremely harsh on the digestive system, especially in those with a salciylate sensitivity. Ask your physician to perform a detoxification test prior to taking aspirin to make sure you can tolerate it. Over the next 5-10 years, this testing will be become more common.