Prevention Matters

A new study printed in Current Medical Research and Opinion found that aspirin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could produce overall savings of $79.6 million dollars over 10 years for a base population of 1 million patients, while use for secondary prevention shows a savings of $32.2 million. Aspirin use for primary prevention was also shown to save $29 million in out of pocket costs, which is an immediate benefit for patients.

The study measured cost savings associated with aspirin use for the prevention of CVD. Savings are seen if this preventive service was increased to reflect current guidelines with the greatest savings for primary prevention (i.e. in those patients without CVD, but at risk). Current clinical guidelines recommend aspirin use for the primary prevention of heart disease in men and stroke in women.

In addition to producing millions of dollars in savings, the study reported that aspirin use for primary prevention of CVD would prevent 1273 heart attacks, 2184 angina events, and 565 ischemic strokes in a base population of 1 million patients. Aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD is not just financially valuable – it saves lives.

Partnership for Prevention supports aspirin use for the primary prevention of heart disease and stroke. Partnership convenes the Aspirin Task Force (ATF), a multidisciplinary group of experts committed to promoting aspirin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The ATF supports the USPSTF recommendations, and encourages men and women to speak to their health care provider to decide if aspirin use is right for them.

In addition to the aspirin initiative, Partnership’s National Commission on Prevention Priorities (NCPP) has identified aspirin use for primary prevention as one of the highest value clinical preventive services. In fact, the NCPP reports that if 90% of those who were recommendation to use aspirin did use aspirin, 45,000 lives per year would be saved.

This study, along with Partnership’s initiatives, shows the importance of aspirin use for the primary prevention of heart disease and stroke. In particular, the study reinforces the value of utilizing preventive services to benefit our healthcare system and society as a whole.