The 4p drug that's better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks

Doctors have discovered a drug that is more effective than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes. The team of medics found that clopidogrel is better and comes with no extra risk.

Aspirin is used to reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke as it makes blood less sticky. However, a new study has revealed that clopidogrel is "superior" to aspirin and should be used in clinical practice across the world. The study, which has been published in the Lancet medical journey, was recently revealed at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid.

As reported by The Guardian, the doctors from countries including the UK, US, Australia, Switzerland and Japan analysed around 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). They found that clopidogrel was actually better than aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

CAD, which currently affects around 2.3 million people in the UK, occurs when arteries in the heart become narrowed by a buildup of the fatty material within their walls. The narrowing is called angina and a heart attack can be caused if the arteries become fully blocked.

While aspirin has traditionally been used for patients with CAD, a new analysis of seven clinical trials found that those taking clopidogrel had a 14% lower risk of serious heart attacks or strokes. This improved figure comes without the increasing risk of major bleeding.

The study team said in The Lancet: "This comprehensive synthesis of available evidence indicates that, in patients with CAD, long-term clopidogrel monotherapy offers superior protection against major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events compared with aspirin, without an excess risk of bleeding.

"The superior efficacy of clopidogrel v aspirin was consistent across multiple key subgroups, including individuals with clinical features predictive of poor clopidogrel responsiveness, supporting the generalisability of these findings to the broad spectrum of patients with CAD.

"These results support a preference for clopidogrel over aspirin for chronic antiplatelet monotherapy for patients with stable CAD. The widespread availability, generic formulation and affordability of clopidogrel further supports its potential for extensive adoption in clinical practice."

The findings could transform health guidelines worldwide to improve patuent outcomes. The results suggest that clopidogrel should be the preferred long-term medication for patients with CAD.

Prof Bryan Williams, the chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Aspirin is a commonly prescribed drug to help prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes. This research suggests that clopidogrel, an alternative to aspirin, might be more effective at preventing recurrent heart attack or stroke.

"Importantly, these benefits come without a greater risk of major bleeding. These findings are likely to impact the medications doctors prescribe to their patients to reduce their risk of future heart problems."