Strengths and Limitations
stroke, bleeding
BLEEDING, STROKE, ISCHEMIC STROKE, SECONDARY, EVENTS
Strengths of this data derive from its size coupled with virtually complete follow-up and systematic adjudication of stroke events by specialist clinicians. The study also has several limitations, including fewer than expected stroke and bleeding events occurring during follow-up and the lack of detailed investigation of stroke occurring in some older participants. Results are mainly generalizable to a White population (participation by individuals in racial and ethnic minority groups was largely limited to the US, where Black and Hispanic people aged ≥65 years were purposively recruited) with routine access to optimal blood pressure and lipid control. The balance of risks and benefits found in this study is not applicable to the use of aspirin for secondary prevention and may not be applicable to certain subgroups at substantially higher risk of ischemic stroke.