The Women's Health Study ( WHS ) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the balance of benefits and risks of low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid ( Aspirin ) and Vitamin-E in reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer in women. The trial population consists of 39,876 US female health professionals aged 45 and older.

Studies showed that low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid reduces the risk of a first heart attack in men, there have been few such studies in women.

The analysis of WHS cohort found that low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid ( 100 mg on alternative days ) did not prevent first heart attacks or death from cardiovascular causes in women.

Low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid lowered the incidence of a first major cardiovascular event ( nonfatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes ) by 9 percent ( not statistically significant ).

Stroke was 17 percent lower in the Aspirin group, a statistically significant difference.

The greatest benefit appeared to be in women 65 and older.
In this sub-group, low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 26 percent.

The benefits of low-dose Acetylsalicylic acid therapy must be weighed against the risk of an increased rate of internal bleeding.

Source : American College of Cardiology - Annual Scientific Meeting, 2005

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