Doctors have recommended taking a low dose of daily aspirin to many people who are at risk for strokes or heart attacks, but is it effective and safe for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Learn what research says about the benefits and risks of taking daily aspirin when your kidney function is compromised.* 

How may aspirin be beneficial? 

As a blood thinner, aspirin has anti-platelet, anti-clotting effects that help keep a person’s arteries open, which allows for the blood to easily pass through the vessel. This can help to prevent clots that cause strokes and other cardiovascular (heart) events. Some experts believe that daily aspirin is beneficial in particular for patients who already have heart disease. 

Cardiologist Steven Nissen, M.D., Chief Academic Officer at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, warns, however, that, “There has been evidence for many years that for patients who have never had a cardiovascular event, taking daily aspirin poses as many risks as benefits.”

What are the risks associated with taking daily aspirin?

The most serious concern with taking aspirin is an increased risk of bleeding. One research study showed a higher bleeding risk without any heart-health benefits. Risks for internal bleeding such as a hemorrhage from stroke or in the upper gastrointestinal tract have also been observed in other studies. For healthy older adults, scientists have found a higher risk of death. 

Should CKD patients take a daily aspirin?

There have been numerous studies done on the safety of aspirin in CKD patients, with mixed findings. Ultimately, the current recommendation from KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) is not using aspirin for CKD patients with no history of a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or heart attack. 

For patients who have had a cardiovascular event, low-dose daily aspirin may be a safe and effective treatment option. Dr. Nissen encourages patients to check with their doctor, as there may be other health factors to consider. 

“Nothing in medicine is ever black and white,” Nissen says, “and individualizing care is always a good idea. Talk to your doctor and try to work it out together. We call that shared decision-making. It’s always the right thing to do.”

*Daily Aspirin: Is It Safe to Take? (2021, November 18). Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-you-need-daily-aspirin-for-some-it-does-more-harm-than-good/