Preventive Aspirin and Other Antiplatelet Medication Use Among US Adults Aged ≥40 Years: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012

Objective. We estimated the prevalence of preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medication use and the dosage of aspirin use in the U.S. adult population. Methods. We conducted cross-sectional analyses of a representative sample (n=3,599) of U.S. adults aged >= 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012. Results. In 2011-2012, one-third of U.S. adults aged >= 40 years reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, 97% of whom indicated preventive aspirin use. Preventive aspirin use increased with age (from 11% of those aged 40-49 years to 54% of those >= 80 years of age, p<0.001). Non-Hispanic white (35%) and black (30%) adults were more likely to take preventive aspirin than non-Hispanic Asian (20%, p<0.001) and Hispanic (22%, p=0.013) adults. Adults with, compared with those without health insurance, and adults with >= 2 doctor visits in the past year, diagnosed diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol were twice as likely to take preventive aspirin. Among those with cardiovascular disease, 76% reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, of whom 91% were taking preventive aspirin. Among adults without cardiovascular disease, 28% reported taking preventive aspirin. Adherence rates to medically recommended aspirin use were 82% overall, 91% for secondary prevention, and 79% for primary prevention. Among current preventive aspirin users, 70% were taking 81 milligrams (mg) of aspirin daily and 13% were taking 325 mg of aspirin daily. Conclusion. The vast majority of antiplatelet therapy is preventive aspirin use. A health-care provider's recommendation to take preventive aspirin is an important determinant of current preventive aspirin use.