Which group should consider low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular prevention according to USPSTF?

Low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular prevention is specifically recommended for adults aged 50 to 59 who have a greater than 10% cardiovascular risk over a 10-year period. This recommendation is based on evidence supporting the effectiveness of aspirin in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events, particularly in individuals who are at a sufficient baseline risk for such events.

The rationale for this specific age group and risk level is that it allows for a targeted intervention where the benefits of aspirin, in preventing heart attacks and strokes, outweigh the potential risks, such as bleeding. The USPSTF emphasizes that this recommendation is particularly applicable to individuals who do not have a history of bleeding disorders or other contraindications for aspirin use.

In contrast, the other groups mentioned do not align with the existing guidelines from the USPSTF. For example, individuals aged 40 to 49 may not have a sufficiently high risk to justify the use of aspirin, and while adults aged 60 to 69 with hypertension might have a higher risk, their specific eligibility for low-dose aspirin depends on more nuanced factors that vary from individual to individual. Likewise, recommending low-dose aspirin for all adults aged 70 and older regardless of risk does not take into account the increased risk of bleed in this population,