American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

The initiation of aspirin in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as myocardial infarction or stroke, is widely supported by clinical guidelines. Aspirin acts as an antiplatelet agent, helping to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events by preventing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Its use is particularly important in secondary prevention settings, where the goal is to reduce the likelihood of recurrent events after a patient has already experienced a cardiovascular event.

Patients with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke often have underlying atherosclerosis or similar issues that predispose them to additional cardiovascular events. Aspirin therapy in these patients has been shown to effectively lower the risk of subsequent events such as heart attacks and strokes, making it a cornerstone of treatment in this population.

While other medications, like statins, beta-blockers, and anticoagulants such as warfarin, play significant roles in the management of cardiovascular disease or specific conditions, aspirin is particularly key for its antiplatelet effects in terms of preventing future thromboembolic events in patients with a history of CVD. Statins are often used for cholesterol management and cardiovascular risk reduction, but the immediate protective effect associated with preventing future thrombotic events makes aspirin the preferred first-line