Primary Prevention Insights

Suboptimal aspirin use can result in unnecessary and preventable cardiovascular events. Empowering consumers to approach physicians may provide an effective strategy to overcome barriers to optimal aspirin use. We developed an online aspirin advice tool that provided individually tailored recommendations based on current use and clinical cardiovascular risk profile. Advice included a summary report to prompt future conversations with a physician. We pilot tested the tool among Stanford University employees (n = 174) to determine its potential utility as part of an online employee Health Risk Appraisal (HRA). Results showed underuse of aspirin in the Secondary Prevention (73% on aspirin) and High Risk (56%) groups and possible over-use in the Low Risk (11%) group. Participants rated the tool as helpful (73%) and reported plans to follow-up with a physician (76%), especially when current aspirin use was discordant with advice. Online tools to improve aspirin use may be a useful component of employee HRAs.