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THE COMMON PRESCRIPTION DRUG HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND TO HAVE NO INCREASED RISK OF MAJOR BLEEDING, SCIENTISTS SAY 10:56, 05 Jun 2025 The NHS is recommending the use of aspirin to help prevent

heart attacks and strokes for those vulnerable to them. For anyone that is considered high-risk of either, aspirin contributes to the stoppage of blood clotting, essentially making you bleed

more easily. However, a new study published by _The BMJ_ supports the use of P2Y12 therapy, rather than the use of aspirin alone for long-term prevention. READ MORE: MARTIN LEWIS URGES

ANYONE WITH A PHONE TO TEXT 5-DIGIT NUMBER P2Y12 therapy refers to the use of medications that block the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, a key protein involved in platelet activation and

aggregation. Essentially, these medications, known as P2Y12 inhibitors, are used to prevent blood clots by reducing the stickiness of platelets. Article continues below Giving these drugs to

patients with coronary artery disease was associated with lower rates of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke compared to the use of aspirin. Typically, patients are switched from

dual therapy (both drugs) to lifelong aspirin, but the new research now shows that sticking with P2Y12 may be the better option. The researchers said: "Overall, this study supports

preferential P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy prescription over aspirin due to reductions in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events without increasing major bleeding in the medium

term." They added that "medium term efficacy does not necessarily extend lifelong, which is the duration we advise patients to continue these medications". The data came from

the analysis of five randomised clinical trials involving 16,117 patients who were assigned to either a P2Y12 inhibitor or aspirin after completing dual therapy. Four years after this P2Y12

inhibitor therapy was associated with a 23% lower risk of an outcome that combined cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke, when compared with aspirin. Preventing a heart attack

largely comes down to lifestyle choices, following three things: * eat a healthy, balanced diet * do not smoke * try to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level As stated by the NHS:

"Eating an unhealthy diet that is high in fat will make hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) worse and increase your risk of a heart attack. Article continues below "Smoking

is a major risk factor for heart attack because it causes atherosclerosis and raises blood pressure. "Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension) can put extra strain on your

arteries and heart, increasing your risk of a heart attack."