Discovery Health CME Explores the Benefits and Risks of Aspirin in Aspirin Therapy: Maximizing th...( - Renowned physicians provide viewers...),Health

- Renowned physicians provide viewers with important information on the use of aspirin in the prevention of initial and subsequent heart attacks and

strokes -

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Health CME presents an expert discussion on aspirin and its use in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular events. Premiering Sunday, September 30, at 9 AM (ET/PT) on Discovery Health, ASPIRIN THERAPY: MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS provides viewers with the latest on the benefits and the risks of this widely available medicine.

"There are good data regarding the use of aspirin in the prevention of vascular events," says John Whyte, M.D., M.P.H., vice president of CME, Discovery Health. "Yet despite these data, aspirin continues to be underutilized in patients who are at risk of initial or repeat heart attacks and strokes," he adds.

Many national organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and the American Diabetes Association, recommend aspirin therapy for patients at risk of heart attack and stroke, and the National Quality Forum and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations use "aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events" as a quality measure. Even so, recent surveys demonstrate that many appropriate patients don't receive it.

Evidence presented in the program will demonstrate that when used appropriately, aspirin can prevent 32 percent of new myocardial infarctions and 15 percent of all vascular events. Additionally, the medicine can prevent a third of all repeat heart attacks, a quarter of repeat strokes and one-sixth of all vascular deaths. The risks of aspirin use, including gastrointestinal bleeding and aspirin resistance, are discussed as well.

In addition to the clinical benefits, the program details the significant pharmacoeconomic advantages associated with widespre
'/>"/>