By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS

Stopping low-dose aspirin can cause an increase of heart attack and stroke, a recent study says.

Studies have suggested that patients experience a “rebound effect” after stopping aspirin treatment, possibly due to increased clotting levels from the loss of aspirin’s blood-thinning effects.

Because of the large number of patients on aspirin and the high number who stop treatment, the importance of a rebound effect may be significant, according to researchers.

“Low-dose aspirin therapy is a simple and inexpensive treatment,” said Dr. Johan Sundstrom, lead author of the study and professor of epidemiology at Uppsala University in Sweden. “As long as there’s no bleeding or any major surgery scheduled, our research shows the significant public health benefits that can be gained when patients stay on aspirin therapy.”

• Find more “Things to Know”

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org.