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For Immediate Release
July 17, 2002
(Washington, DC) - The Aspirin Foundation
of America today welcomed the inclusion of aspirin therapy
in the American Heart Association's new recommendations
for preventing heart attack and stroke.
In guidelines released July 15, the
American Heart Association recommends low-dose aspirin
to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in patients
who are at an increased risk. The group based its recommendations
in part on guidelines from the Health and Human Services'
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recently
expanded its own guidelines on cardiovascular and stroke
prevention to recommend aspirin therapy for those who
are at risk for heart attack or stroke but have not
suffered such an event.
Dr. Thomas Pearson, who chaired the
American Heart Association panel that made the update,
pointed out that preventing a first cardiovascular event
or stroke is important since many first episodes are
fatal or debilitating.
"The AFA commends the American
Heart Association for its prevention efforts,"
said Dr. Thomas Bryant, president of the Aspirin Foundation
of America. "We encourage all who are at risk to
consider the guidelines laid out by the American Heart
Association, and to follow their own doctor's instructions
to reduce their risk."
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Contact:
Caroline Perrin
807 National Press Building, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-432-3247 Fax: 202/737-8406
info@aspirin.org
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