Nowadays, many people suffer from heart disease, mostly because of an unhealthy lifestyle. As a result, millions of people are told by the doctors to take an aspirin tablet on daily basis to prevent heart disease. However, according to a recent study, a specific segment of the population may be putting themselves at risk by taking this popular painkiller each day.
The scientist at Harvard University conducted a study on almost 40,000 women over 10 years, and they found out that many of them carry a specific gene that helps protect against heart problems naturally.
Little known fact is that taking aspirin have the effect of not only removing that protection but also doubling their heart attack risk, as well as increasing their riks of suffering heart problems by up to 300%.
It was revealed that 1 out of 100 people who carry this specific gene and take an aspirin on daily basis may suffer from heart problems that could otherwise be prevented. It is assumed that men are also affected, although that is not known yet.
More About the Gene and Aspirin Finding
According to the research, 23% of all women who were tested, contained the gene, which is called COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Kathyrn Hall said: “If the research is validated it would be logical to test before giving aspirin.”
Investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston conducted the study.
The Time of India quoted Dr. Hall: “This is one of the few cases where you can identify a single genetic polymorphism which has a significant interaction with aspirin such that it affects whether or not it protects against cardiovascular disease.”
According to Dr.Hall , these hormones are associated with a wide range of disorders, including hypertension.
Source: althealthworks.com
