RESEACHERS have cautioned against the use of aspirin to ward off heart attacks and strokes by persons without obvious cardiovascular disease.

The experts in Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) said aspirin could cause serious internal bleeding and does not prevent deaths from cardiovascular disease.

They advised doctors to review cases of all patients at present taking the drug for the prevention of heart disease.

The Royal College of GPs says it supports the DTB's recommendations.

Quoting the report yesterday, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said low-dose aspirin is widely used to prevent further episodes of cardiovascular disease in people who have already had problems such as a heart attack or stroke.

This approach - known as secondary prevention - is well-established and has confirmed benefits.

But many thousands of people in the United Kingdom (UK) are believed to be taking aspirin as a protective measure before they have any heart symptoms.