A nationwide poll suggests more than forty percent of people between seventy-five and eighty take aspirin at least three times a week to prevent heart attacks. They may not need to. Newer guidelines for preventive aspirin focus on those who already have cardiovascular disease, including those who survived a heart attack or stroke, and those with a high personal risk or family history. The University of Michigan poll estimates more than one-half of older adults on aspirin don’t have a history of heart disease. What harm is there without the risk? Regular aspirin use may pose a bleeding risk that increases with age, so the researchers say people using, starting or stopping such routine aspirin should talk with their healthcare provider about what is best for them.