What are the benefits associated with aspirin in reducing stroke risk?
Previous guideline statements endorse the use of aspirin for cardiac but not stroke prophylaxis among asymptomatic men whose risk is sufficiently high for the benefits to outweigh the risks associated with treatment. These recommendations were based on a reduction of coronary events in men and reduction of stroke in women. In a subgroup analysis of the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) trial, subjects with renal failure (estimated) had a reduction in stroke risk with aspirin (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06 0.75). In addition, total mortality was reduced by half (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.27 0.94) and cardiovascular mortality by 64% (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14 0.90).