Healthy people who consume aspirin on a daily basis in the hope of preventing themselves from a cardiac arrest are doing more harm than good to their health.

British scientists revealed at a conference for leading doctors held recently that they have found that aspirin does not reduce the risk of heart attack in healthy people.

On the contrary it leads to internal bleeding and increases the chances by almost double of getting admitted to the hospital. It was observed that the risks of taking aspirin are far too many as compared to the benefits.

Although it is found to be harmful for healthy people, doctors have recommended that patients who have already suffered a heart attack should continue its use.

He adds that the risk of a second heart attack are mush higher in patients who have suffered a heart attack once, therefore the benefits of aspirin outweigh the risks in these patients.

29,000 men and women aged between 50 and 75 were screened to see if they are at a high risk of developing heart problems but do not show any symptoms yet.

More than 3,000 men were randomly put on a daily dose of aspirin or a dummy pill. After following for eight years it was found that there was no difference in the rate of heart attacks or strokes in both the groups.

Nevertheless there were 34 major bleeding cases in the aspirin group compared with 1.2 of those on the placebo.

The Aspirin Foundation therefore continues to counsel everyone to consume the pill only after medical prescription and never to start a self medication program.