ST. LOUIS- A new local study shows that most people aren't taking their daily aspirin.
According to a study by Washington University, using health surveys that were conducted in 51 countries, about only 40% of people globally who had previous cardiovascular disease, use aspirin as a secondary prevention for the disease, like heart attacks.
The number is even smaller in lower income countries, as only 25% of people in lower income countries use aspirin to prevent a second heart attack.
KMOX Health Editor Fred Bodimer found out more about the study from lead author Dr. Song June Yoo a cardiovascular disease fellow at Washington University School of Medicine.
Yoo believes that most people don't use daily aspirin due to some factors like variable access to healthcare in general, or wrong messaging when it comes to aspirin.
"We're lucky that in the US, aspirin is available over the counter," Yoo said, "In some countries, it requires a consultation with pharmacists or a prescription."
Yoo says there are ways that there are ways to help increase aspirin use globally, with some solutions being the World Health Organization (WHO) health package, more education on aspirin, or a universal health care coverage.