For years, “just take a daily aspirin” sounded like simple, common‑sense heart protection. When a public figure like former President Donald Trump casually mentions taking a high‑dose aspirin every day, it can make that habit seem normal—even wise. But current medical evidence paints a different picture: for many people, especially those without diagnosed heart disease, a daily aspirin may quietly raise the risk of dangerous internal bleeding more than it reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

This article unpacks what the latest research and guidelines say about daily aspirin, why copying celebrities’ or politicians’ medication routines is risky, and how to decide—together with your own clinician—whether aspirin belongs in your life at all.

Assorted white tablets on a blue background representing daily aspirin use
Daily aspirin once seemed like an easy heart‑health shortcut, but newer data urges more caution.

The Problem: Aspirin Advice Has Changed—But Habits Haven’t

Low‑dose aspirin (often 75–100 mg daily) used to be widely recommended to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in “at‑risk” adults. As a result, millions of people started taking it on their own and simply never stopped. Meanwhile, some high‑profile figures publicly shared their own aspirin routines, often without context about dose, medical history, or evolving evidence.

Over the last decade, however, large, well‑designed trials and updated guidelines from groups like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the American Heart Association (AHA) have shifted the balance:

  • Aspirin still has a clear role for many people who already have cardiovascular disease (called “secondary prevention”).
  • For people who have never had a heart attack or stroke (“primary prevention”), the net benefit is often small and may be outweighed by bleeding risks.
  • Higher doses—like the “high‑dose” aspirin some individuals report taking—can increase harm without adding protection for most people.
“Medication decisions should never be based on what a public figure does. They should be based on your risk, your history, and a careful discussion with your clinician.”
— Cardiologist perspective, summarizing current guideline advice

How Aspirin Actually Works in the Body

Aspirin isn’t a gentle vitamin; it is a drug that changes how your blood clots. It blocks an enzyme (COX‑1) in platelets, making them less “sticky” so they’re less likely to form clots that can block arteries in the heart or brain.

That clot‑blocking effect is why aspirin can be lifesaving in the right setting, and risky in the wrong one.

  1. Where aspirin helps (clearly): Secondary prevention

    For people who already have cardiovascular disease—such as a prior heart attack, stent placement, bypass surgery, or ischemic stroke—low‑dose aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of another event. In this group, the benefit usually outweighs the bleeding risk.

  2. Where aspirin is controversial: Primary prevention

    For adults who have never had a heart attack or stroke, especially older adults, the math becomes trickier. Recent trials have shown:

    • Only a small reduction in first heart attacks or strokes.
    • A similar or greater increase in major bleeding events, including stomach bleeding and, less commonly, bleeding in the brain.
Close-up of a human heart model being explained by a healthcare professional
Aspirin changes how blood clots, which can help prevent heart attacks in some people—but also raises bleeding risk.

What the Latest Science Says About Daily Aspirin

Several large studies have reshaped aspirin guidance in the last few years. While we won’t dive into every detail, here’s what the evidence generally shows for adults without diagnosed cardiovascular disease:

  • Small benefit in preventing first events: Fewer first heart attacks and ischemic strokes—but the absolute numbers are modest.
  • Comparable or higher risk of major bleeding: Gastrointestinal bleeding and, more rarely, intracranial hemorrhage rise with regular aspirin use.
  • Age matters: Bleeding risk increases with age, which is why many guidelines discourage starting aspirin routinely in adults over 60 for primary prevention.
  • Dose matters: Higher doses do not generally provide better heart protection for prevention, but they do increase bleeding risk.

Current U.S. recommendations (summarized as of early 2026) typically say:

  • Do not start daily aspirin on your own “just to be safe.”
  • For adults aged roughly 40–59 with elevated 10‑year cardiovascular risk, aspirin might be considered in select cases—but only after a personalized discussion about trade‑offs.
  • For adults 60 and older without cardiovascular disease, starting aspirin for primary prevention is generally not recommended.

For further reading, see:


Why You Shouldn’t Copy Trump—or Anyone Else—on Aspirin

When a former president says he takes a high‑dose aspirin every day, it can subtly normalize self‑prescribing. But a medication regimen that might be appropriate (or not) for one individual, with their own health history, age, and risk factors, is not automatically sensible for millions of others.

There are three major problems with copying public figures’ medication habits:

  1. You don’t know their full medical picture.

    You rarely hear about their full risk profile, bleeding history, other medications, or whether their doctors actually recommended that dose—or advised against it.

  2. Dosage and indication matter.

    “High‑dose” vs. “low‑dose” aspirin have different risk‑benefit profiles. The right dose (if any) depends on why you’re taking it and what else is going on with your health.

  3. What’s safe for one person can be dangerous for another.

    Age, kidney function, history of ulcers, alcohol use, blood pressure control, and other medications (like blood thinners) all affect bleeding risk.

“Never start or stop aspirin because a politician, athlete, influencer, or neighbor does it. Aspirin is powerful, and like any powerful tool, it can help or harm depending on how it’s used.”
— Internal medicine physician, patient education session

A Common Scenario: “But I’ve Been Taking Aspirin for Years…”

Consider “Mark,” a 63‑year‑old who started low‑dose aspirin in his early 50s after seeing news headlines about heart attack prevention. He’d never had heart disease, but he had some risk factors: slightly high blood pressure and a strong family history. His doctor at the time said aspirin “wouldn’t hurt and might help.”

A decade later, Mark reads about updated guidelines and wonders if he should stop. He also notices more frequent heartburn and one episode of dark stool that scared him.

In a follow‑up visit, his current clinician:

  • Reviews his latest labs, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
  • Calculates his 10‑year cardiovascular risk using a standard risk calculator.
  • Asks about any history of ulcers or bleeding.
  • Explains that, at his age, the net benefit of continuing aspirin for primary prevention is likely small, while his personal bleeding risk is rising.

After a shared decision‑making conversation, they agree to prioritize:

  • Optimizing his blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medication.
  • Adjusting his cholesterol treatment.
  • Stopping daily aspirin, with a clear plan for monitoring and follow‑up.

Mark’s story is typical: the decision wasn’t “aspirin is always bad” but rather “for you, right now, aspirin’s downsides probably outweigh the upsides.”

An older adult discussing medications with a healthcare provider at a table
The safest aspirin decisions come from honest, individualized conversations—not headlines or soundbites.

How to Decide if Daily Aspirin Makes Sense for You

If you’re taking aspirin now—or considering it—use these steps to move from confusion to clarity:

  1. Clarify why you’re taking (or considering) aspirin.
    • Was it prescribed after a heart attack, stent, bypass, or stroke?
    • Was it started years ago “just in case” or after a news article?
    • Did a clinician clearly explain how long to stay on it?
  2. Know your cardiovascular risk.

    Ask your clinician about your 10‑year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. This estimate combines:

    • Age and sex
    • Blood pressure
    • Cholesterol levels
    • Smoking status
    • Diabetes or kidney disease
  3. Review your bleeding risk.

    Tell your clinician if you have or had:

    • Stomach or intestinal ulcers, or reflux requiring treatment
    • Previous gastrointestinal or brain bleeding
    • Kidney or liver disease
    • Heavy alcohol use
    • Other blood thinners (like warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel)
  4. Discuss alternatives and “bigger wins.”

    Many strategies reduce heart risk more safely and more powerfully than aspirin for primary prevention, including:

    • Stopping smoking or vaping nicotine
    • Improving blood pressure control
    • Managing cholesterol with lifestyle and, if needed, medication
    • Regular physical activity (even brisk walking)
    • Healthy weight management and sleep
  5. Decide together—and revisit over time.

    Your needs can change as you age or develop new conditions. Recheck the aspirin decision every few years or after major health changes.

Doctor and patient reviewing health information together on a tablet
Shared decision‑making helps weigh aspirin’s small potential benefits against real bleeding risks.

Common Obstacles, Fears, and Misconceptions

It’s completely understandable to feel uneasy about changing a long‑standing habit, especially one you believed was protecting your heart. Here are a few common worries and how to think about them.

  • “If I stop, won’t my heart attack risk suddenly jump?”

    For people taking aspirin only for primary prevention, there’s no strong evidence of a sudden “rebound” spike in heart attacks after carefully stopping, especially when broader risk factors are well managed. Still, always follow a clinician’s guidance; some conditions require a tailored plan.

  • “But everyone my age is on aspirin.”

    That used to be closer to the truth, but guidelines have changed. Medication norms evolve as we learn more. What “everyone” does isn’t a safe standard for your unique health.

  • “I feel fine—how could aspirin be hurting me?”

    Bleeding can occur silently at first. Some people notice only subtle symptoms—like fatigue from slow blood loss—until a major bleed occurs. The goal is to prevent those events, not wait until they’re obvious.

  • “If a president takes high‑dose aspirin, it must be safe.”

    High‑dose aspirin is linked to higher bleeding risk and is rarely needed for long‑term prevention. Prominence doesn’t equal medical correctness; your body deserves better evidence than anecdote.


Moving Forward: Evidence Over Examples, Partnership Over Guesswork

Daily aspirin is neither a miracle shield nor a villain. It’s a powerful tool that can save lives in the right circumstances and cause serious harm in others. What we can say with confidence is that:

  • Copying public figures’ medication choices—whether it’s Donald Trump’s aspirin use or anyone else’s—is unsafe and unnecessary.
  • Modern guidelines now favor more selective use of aspirin, especially for people who have never had heart disease or stroke.
  • Your best protection comes from a combination of lifestyle changes, evidence‑based medications where needed, and regular check‑ins with a trusted clinician.

If you take nothing else from this article, let it be this: you deserve a personalized plan, not a one‑size‑fits‑all habit borrowed from the headlines.

Person walking outdoors in the city as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle
Heart protection is about the bigger picture: movement, nutrition, sleep, stress, and the right meds—used wisely.

Your next step:

  1. Make a note of whether you currently take aspirin and at what dose.
  2. Schedule time with your primary care clinician or cardiologist.
  3. Ask explicitly: “Given my age and health, should I be on aspirin, off aspirin, or using it differently?”

You don’t need to navigate aspirin—or heart health in general—by following high‑profile examples. With clear information and a collaborative clinician, you can make decisions that are safer, smarter, and truly tailored to you.