Drug 'better than aspirin' at preventing heart attacks

Doctors have found a drug that is better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes, in a discovery that could transform health guidelines worldwide.

- Andrew Gregory

For decades, millions of people have been advised to take aspirin to reduce their risk of experiencing a serious cardiovascular event. A daily low-dose aspirin makes blood less sticky and helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Now a new study, presented at the world's largest heart conference, has found that clopidogrel, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, is more effective - and with no extra risk.

The stunning discovery was revealed at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, with the data behind the findings published in the Lancet medical journal.

The international team of medics behind the study, from countries including the US, Britain, Australia, Switzerland and Japan, said the results showed that clopidogrel was superior to aspirin and should lead to "extensive adoption" of the drug in clinical practice worldwide.

Their comprehensive analysis of nearly 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) found that clopidogrel was better than aspirin in preventing serious heart and stroke events, without increasing the risk of major bleeding. CAD is the most common form of heart disease and a leading cause of death. More than 300 million people live with CAD, including 2.3 million in Britain.