New Task Force Alert Issued About Daily Aspirin Use for Most Adults

Boxes holding bottles with 81 mg aspirin tablets inside are seen on a store shelf in Miami, Fla., on April 12, 2016. Illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For years, doctors and health agencies have recommended taking aspirin on a regular basis to prevent heart attack or stroke. However, an influential physician task force issued a major update on the protocol on Tuesday.

The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force said that it finalized its latest recommendation on daily doses of aspirin, saying that individuals aged 60 and older should not begin to take one aspirin per day to prevent heart problems in most cases. They cited possible health risks, including aspirin’s blood-thinning ability.