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Los Angeles, California - January 9, 2012

Many adults take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke. But a new study confirms it's not for everyone.

Fifty-six Year old Kirk Deverux takes aspirin to keep his blood from clotting and protect his heart. "Just a little over a year go they found a major blockage and had by-pass surgery," he said.

Now a new study provides more evidence that only people like Kirk who are at higher risk for heart attack and stroke should be taking aspirin. Researchers looked at several studies involving more than 100-thousand  people without prior heart disease. While they had fewer heart attacks, taking asprin didn't lower death rates.

"We know that aspirin works in people who are high and even moderate risk. It's the people who are low risk that we're really not sure whether using an aspirin a day or every other day is beneficial," said Dr. Tara Narula with Lenox Hill Hospital.

Doctors say patients have to consider the side effects. Asprin can increase the risk of bleeding  in the stomach and intestine. "Gastrointestinal bleeding and or stroke -- now they are small side effects but when they happen they can be devastating,"Dr. Narula said.

Doctors  recommend patients without a history of heart problems talk with their physician first to see if aspirin is the right choice. Kirk Deverux knows there are risks involved. "I think the benefits outweigh the risks and I think that's true of all the medications I take," he said.
And his doctor agrees. In Deverux's case, aspirin is necessary to keep his heart healthy.

Edward Lawrence - CBS News