Doctors find drug that is better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks

Discovery that clopidogrel is a more effective blood thinner could transform health guidelines worldwide

Doctors have found a drug that is better than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes, in a discovery that could transform health guidelines worldwide.

For decades, millions of people have been advised to take aspirin to reduce their risk of experiencing a serious cardiovascular event. A daily low-dose aspirin makes blood less sticky and helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.

But now a new study, presented at the world’s largest heart conference, has found that clopidogrel, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, is more effective – and with no extra risk.

The stunning discovery was revealed at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, with the data behind the findings simultaneously published in the Lancet medical journal.